PRIME MINISTER

Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants in each grade have left his Office in each of the last three years to join consultancy firms; and which firm each joined.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Meetings

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1129W, on meetings, if he will list the dates of each meeting he has had with (a) each party and (b) the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland during the last 18 months.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 1129W.

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1038–39W, on Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, on how many occasions he consulted (a) the political parties in Northern Ireland, (b) church representatives, (c) the Police Service of Northern Ireland, (d) victims groups and (e) healthcare professionals before the Government introduced the Bill.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1038–39W.

Public Appointments

Louise Ellman: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  to what position in Government Departments (a) Mr. Ahmed Thompson and (b) Mr. Inyat Bungawala has been appointed; when the appointment was made; what the remit is; and what process was used in making the appointment;
	(2)  what advice the Government have been given by the unit Engaging with the Muslim World concerning (a) the Muslim Brotherhood, (b) the Muslim Association of Britain and (c) Hamas; and what the accountability arrangements for the unit are;
	(3)  what the Government's policy is on (a) employing and (b) appointing to public appointments people who may have made anti-semitic statements.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	Neither Mr. Ahmad Thompson nor Mr. Inyat Bungawala has been appointed to any positions within Government Departments.
	In the formulation of policy, the Government receives advice and information from a wide range of sources. The Engaging with the Islamic World Group is a part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Like all departments, groups and teams within the FCO, the Group is accountable to Ministers and works to help achieve the international priorities, aims and objectives set out in the FCO Annual Report.
	The Government adheres to the Commission for Public Appointments' code of practice when considering individuals for either employment or public appointments. Individuals from all sections of society and diverse backgrounds have much to offer public bodies. In consulting and working with a diverse range of people we inevitably deal with people with whose views we do agree. When this involves discriminatory statements by an individual decisions are made on a case by case basis, taking account of such factors as severity, context and the time elapsed since they were made.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Anschutz Entertainment Group

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport 
	(1)  when (a) Ministers and (b) officials have held meetings with the Anschutz Entertainment Group; where each meeting took place; and which potential sites for casinos were discussed;
	(2)  what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials have held in the last four months with casino operators interested in securing licences under the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: DCMS Ministers and officials have met representatives of the Anschutz Entertainment Group and Kerzner International, its partner in the development of the Millennium Dome site, as they have representatives of many companies that may be interested in securing one of the 17 new casino licences permitted by the Gambling Act 2005. The meetings that have been identified are listed in table 1. All these meetings took place in the United Kingdom. Where available, minutes of meetings up to July 2005 have been published on the DCMS website, following requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.
	
		Table 1
		
			  DCMS Minister and/or official(s) present  Who attended the meeting 
		
		
			 15 March 2003 Official(s) Anschutz Entertainment Group 
			 22 January 2004 Lord McIntosh and official(s) Kerzner International 
			 24 May 2004 Lord McIntosh and officials) Kerzner International 
			 23 June 2004 Lord McIntosh and official(s) Overseas casino operators including Kerzner International 
			 8 July 2004 Official(s) Kerzner International 
			 22 July 2004 Official(s) Kerzner International 
			 12 August 2004 Lord McIntosh and official(s) Overseas casino operators 
			 24 February 2005 Lord McIntosh and official(s) Overseas casino operators including Kerzner International 
			 21 March 2005 Lord McIntosh and official(s) Overseas casino operators including Kerzner International 
			 18 May 2005 Official(s) Kerzner International, MGM Mirage, Caesars 
			 18 July 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Kerzner International, MGM Mirage, Ameristar, Packer Organisation and Aspinall Group, Sun International 
			 13 September 2005 Official(s) Kerzner International, MGM Mirage, Caesars 
			 30 October 2005 Secretary of State Private dinner hosted by Matthew Freud at which Philip Anschutz and another representative of AEG were present 
			 31 October 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Dinner hosted by Lord Heseltine at which Philip Anschutz was present 
			 14 December 2005 Official(s) Kerzner International, MGM Mirage, Harrahs 
		
	
	In addition to the meetings listed in table 1, DCMS Ministers and officials with responsibility for gambling issues have also held meetings with other casino operators or their representatives during the last four months. Relevant meetings that have been identified are listed in table 2. Competitions for the 17 new casino premises are not expected to begin until mid-2007, and the identities of the bidding companies will not be known until then.
	
		Table 2
		
			  DCMS Minister and/or official(s) present  Who attended the meeting 
		
		
			 6 September 2005 Secretary of State and official(s) British Casino Association 
			 21 September 2005 Official(s) British Casino Association 
			 27 September 2005 Official(s) British Casino Association 
			 5 October 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Dinner including representative of Casino Association of South Africa 
			 6 October 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Sun International 
			 19 October 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Business in Sport and Leisure, including a representative of Gala plc 
			 4 November 2005 Official(s) London Clubs International 
			 10 November 2005 Secretary of State and official(s) British Casino Association Annual General Meeting 
			 14 November 2005 Official(s) Representatives of gambling industry, including the British Casino Association 
			 16 November 2005 Richard Caborn and official(s) Meeting with Bingo Association, including representative of Gala plc 
			 21 November 2005 Official(s) Rank Group 
			 7 December 2005 Official(s) British Casino Association

BBC Charter

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it a requirement under BBC Charter renewal that the BBC publish in its annual accounts (a) itemised costs, (b) overheads information and (c) average hourly (i)viewing figures and (ii) costs of production for each channel.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 December 2005
	The Green Paper published in March this year makes clear that the new Trust will be expected to demand the highest standards of financial transparency from the BBC in its annual reporting to ensure that the BBC complies with best practice in other public and commercial bodies. Further detail on the new governance arrangements will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.

BBC Charter

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had on the BBC Charter Review.

Tessa Jowell: Throughout the Charter Review process, I have had various discussions with a wide range of stakeholders regarding all aspects of the BBC Charter Review.

Citygate Public Affairs Ltd.

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings the Department has held with Citygate Public Affairs Ltd. since July.

David Lammy: The Department does not maintain a central list of such contacts. Ministers and civil servants, including special advisers meet many people as part of the process of policy development and business delivery. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance for civil servants on contacts with lobbyists and people outside Government

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the use of compulsory purchase orders in cases involving historic buildings.

David Lammy: The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 allows the Secretary of State to confirm a compulsory purchase order (CPO) served by a local authority where reasonable steps are not being taken by an owner to properly preserve a listed building. The Act also allows the Secretary of State to compulsorily acquire a listed building herself though such powers are only exercised in exceptional circumstances. The Act requires the Secretary of State to consult English Heritage before she exercises the powers to confirm or make a CPO.

Correspondence

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter of 4 October from the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley, to her concerning the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: holding answer 21 November 2005
	Ireplied to the letter of 4 October from my hon. Friend today.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research projects commissioned by her Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Richard Caborn: The DCMS currently has commissioned 13 research projects which are in the process of being completed, or have been completed and are scheduled for publication.
	A brief summary of each piece of research, including publication plans, is given as follows.
	1. Taking Part Survey": The DCMS, working in partnership with our NDPB partners, commissioned the Taking Part" survey with the aim of improving our current knowledge base of users and non-users of our sectors.
	Findings from the survey are being published quarterly on the DCMS website, and the first quarter's findings were published on 15 December.
	2. Sport and Social Capital in the United Kingdom: Statistical Evidence from National and International Survey Data": This research looks at the links between different types of sporting participation and individual measures of social capital.
	The research will be published on the website of the DCMS, and the Institute of Public Policy Research. Publication is planned for January 2006.
	3. Public Libraries: assessment of performance against Annual Library Plans 2004/05": Assessment of authorities' performance against the newly developed Public Library Impact Measures to create a baseline to be assessed against in future years.
	Publication will be on the website of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and is scheduled for February 2006.
	4. Enquiring into attitudes towards gambling—a scoping study": This is a study looking at how quantitative surveys can be used to capture accurate data on public attitudes towards gambling and gambling behaviour. The work will be completed early in 2006, and will be published on the DCMS website in due course.
	5. Enquiring in to expenditure on gambling—a scoping study": A study looking at quantitative surveys can be used to capture accurate data on expenditure on gambling. The project is due for completion at the end of February 2006. Publication will be on the DCMS website in due course.
	6. Research into risk and protective factors related to problem gambling": This work is due to report by the end of January 2006. The report will be published on the DCMS website in due course.
	7. Economic impact of cultural investment": This research is part of the development of a framework for understanding the impact of cultural investment by Government. It is due for completion in April 2006, and will be published on the DCMS website in due course.
	8. Arts and Criminal Justice: feasibility study": This research project looks at the practicalities of assessing the impact of arts interventions in prisons. It is due for completion in January 2006, with publication on the DCMS website soon after.
	9. Arts and Mental Health: study of effective practice": This research looks at the effectiveness of arts interventions with people with mental health problems. The research is due for completion in October 2006. A report on the research will be published on the DCMS website in due course.
	10. Review of literature on impact on young people of the computer/video games with a 'Violent' content": We commissioned the University of Stirling to investigate whether allegations of a link between playing violent computer games and violent behaviour in real life can be substantiated. The work is complete, and the report will be published on the DCMS website in January 2006.
	11. National Lottery, 'Good Causes' research": This projects looks at the views of the general public on how lottery money should be shared between the good causes of arts and film, heritage and sport, and what the policies should be governing how lottery money is spent for each of these good causes. It will support the public consultation currently under way on the DCMS website and is being commissioned now to be carried out by the end of February 2006.
	Results will be published on the DCMS website, along with the main consultation results, in late spring 2006.
	12. BBC Charter Review": Research exploring public opinion of the Green Paper proposals for the future governance and accountability of the BBC and the collection and enforcement of the licence fee.
	This research will be published on the BBC Charter Review website, alongside the White Paper, once it is published in the new year.
	13. Access to finance by small and medium sized companies in the music business: This project looks at the barriers to accessing financial investment by small and medium sized music businesses in the UK. The work should be completed in January 2006, and will be published on the DCMS website in due course.

Elite Athletes (Funding)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what process the transfer of responsibility for elite sport from Sport England to UK Sport will be effected; how much of the budget will be transferred; and how much of that money will pass straight to (a) the British Olympic Association and (b) Olympic Sport national governing bodies.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 19 December 2005
	UK Sport and Sport England are working together to ensure that responsibility for the English Institute of Sport, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (including 2012 scholarships) and performance pathway programmes for Olympic and Paralympic sports (for which Sport England is currently responsible), will transfer to UK Sport by 1 April 2006. Furthermore a service level agreement is being drawn up to govern UK Sport's performance advisory role to Sport England for the performance elements of their funded English sports. A project team has been set up to manage the process.
	UK Sport and Sport England are working closely to identify the required budgetary transfer in respect of these areas which will—as now—be directed at Governing Body and Institute delivery of services to World Class athletes.
	We expect that the National Governing Bodies will benefit from an enhanced relationship with UK Sport. Money will not be passed to the British Olympic Association, as it is not an investment vehicle for World Class funding.

English Heritage

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1619W, on English Heritage, which sites owned and run by English Heritage she has visited in her official capacity as Secretary of State in the last 12 months.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has not been able to visit an English Heritage historic site in the last 12 months in her official capacity. However, since May I have visited in my official capacity Stonehenge, Eltham Palace and Kenilworth Castle and English Heritage's offices in Swindon. I have also visited a number of historic properties owned or managed by other organisations or individuals.

Licensing Act

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in reviewing the guidance on the Licensing Act 2003 to enable local ward councillors to speak at hearings for applications affecting their ward without the need to have first received representations from residents; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: It is the 2003 Act and the regulations that set out who may make representations, and other matters about hearings. It is, therefore, not possible for the Guidance to licensing authorities to amend such statutory provisions.
	However, we are currently reviewing the Guidance and, as part of that process, will consider whether there is a need to provide further clarification around this issue. We will also consider it as part of our wider monitoring of the Act, including the detailed review with the 10 Scrutiny Committee.
	Our review of the Guidance commenced on 1 December and will be in two stages. An initial review, focussing on issues where there is a high degree of consensus among stakeholders, will be completed and supplementary Guidance laid before Parliament in early spring 2006.
	A comprehensive formal review of the Guidance, including a full public consultation will be completed by summer 2006 and a revised version will be laid before Parliament by the end of 2006. This comprehensive review will include consideration of matters that cannot be easily resolved during the initial review.

Licensing Committees

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will issue guidance to local authorities on the circumstances when councillors (a) may and (b) may not make representations to a licensing committee dealing with a licensing application in their ward.

James Purnell: holding answer 12 December 2005
	Local councillors who themselves live in the vicinity of premises applying for the grant or variation of a premises or club premises certificate are clearly entitled to make representations to the licensing authority in their own right as interested parties.
	Paragraph 5.32 of the Guidance issued under Section182 of the Licensing Act 2003 makes it clear that interested parties can specifically request a representative such as a local ward councillor to make a representation on their behalf. This could include making written representations, applying for a review or by speaking on their behalf at a hearing.
	We are currently reviewing the Guidance and, as part of that process, will consider whether there is a need to provide further clarification on this issue.

Licensing/Gambling Laws

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what means the Government's new licensing regime ensures that village hall managers and other responsible persons are informed of the number of applications for temporary event notices for events to be held in their premises; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Village hall managers and other responsible persons seeking to inform themselves about the number of temporary event notices (TENs) given for events to be held in their premises can consult their licensing authority's register.
	A person with a property interest in a premises, such as a freeholder, leaseholder or occupier, can, on submission of the prescribed form and fee (£21), give the licensing authority notice of their interest. The licensing authority must then notify them forthwith of any changes to the entry for that premises on the register. Such a notice has effect for 12 months.
	No-one would be able to use a village hall without the permission of the hall management. Managers of village halls can make their own arrangements to require potential users to inform them of their proposed use of TENs and might wish to include this as a requirement in their hire or booking agreement.

Licensing/Gambling Laws

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the implications of the interaction between changes to licensing and gambling laws.

Richard Caborn: The reform of licensing and gambling laws share many of the same guiding principles. These include better protection for children, the prevention of crime and disorder and a generally tougher regime to deal with rogue operators. Changes also provide for increased local decision making, and will deliver more choice for the citizen. We therefore consider the reforms in each area to be mutually supportive.
	Of course, as with all major reforms, we will closely monitor and evaluate the impact of the changes in the coming months and years.

London Development Agency

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1250W, on the London Development Agency (Vendors), what criteria the London Development Agency (LDA) will use to decide whether to publish shortlists for contracts; and if she will ask the LDA to publish either a shortlist or the reasons for not publishing a shortlist in relation to each contract.

Richard Caborn: The decision as to whether shortlists will be published will be considered on a case by case basis and ultimately depend on if it helps or hinders effective and fair competition between suppliers.
	These decisions are, and will be, a matter for the London Development Agency and for the Olympic Delivery Authority once it is established.

Ministerial Visits

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what ministerial visits have been undertaken since May by (a) the Minister for Sport, (b) the Minister for Culture and (c) the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism; what the purpose was of each; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I am arranging for a list of ministerial visits undertaken since May by (a) the Minister for Sport, (b) the Minister for Culture and (c) the Minister for Creative Industries to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Olympics (Procurement Strategy)

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish the initial draft of the procurement strategy drawn up by the Olympic Delivery Authority team; and whether it will include criteria for determining which contracts shortlists will be published.

Richard Caborn: The interim Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) published procurement principles in September 2005 which underpin the development of the ODA's procurement strategy. The procurement strategy for the ODA is currently being drafted. The strategy will be published when it has been approved by the newly-appointed chair and chief executive of the ODA and its board. This is likely to be in spring 2006.

Parliamentary Questions

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter of 23 September (ref: 23821) from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 21 November 2005
	I am sorry for not replying sooner to the written question from the hon. Member. I replied to the hon. Member's letter of 23 September yesterday 19 December.

Tourism

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent in promoting tourism in rural areas in England in each of the last five years.

James Purnell: My Department funds the overseas marketing and promotion of all parts of Britain through VisitBritain. VisitBritain also markets England's tourism industry to the British under the auspices of the England Marketing Advisory Board. The promotion of rural areas is a significant part of this work.
	Much of VisitBritain's international work is generic marketing of the British offer, and it is not possible to put precise figures on the proportion of its marketing spend which directly relates to the promotion of rural areas.
	In the domestic market, VisitBritain's Enjoy England and Outdoor England marketing campaigns have clear rural themes. A total of £1 million was spent on directly promoting rural areas through these campaigns in 2004–05. Further rural promotion was carried out through the Taste, Waterside England, and Just Relax campaigns, on which a total of £750,000 was spent in 2004–05.
	In view of the generic nature of much of VisitBritain's marketing work, which is intended to attract visitors to Britain and England rather than to specific locations, it is not possible to provide figures for years prior to 2004–05.
	In addition, as part of the Tourism Reform Programme, since 2003, the regional development agencies have undertaken significant tourism promotion of England's rural areas and of course many councils covering rural areas invest in promoting local tourism as well.

Village Halls

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to encourage the greater use of village halls; and what funding streams are available for this purpose.

Richard Caborn: To date the lottery has awarded over £258 million to village and community halls. The Big Lottery Fund is building on this success and has recently announced that it will make £50 million available over three years through a community buildings programme to benefit projects across England. The new programme, to be launched in 2006, will focus on civil renewal as well as enhance community involvement and cohesion.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Biodiversity (Planning Applications)

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will incorporate a question about biodiversity interests into the standard planning application form.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, English Nature and the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) to examine how the issue of biodiversity interests could be considered in the standard planning process.

Biofuels

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hectares in Northamptonshire have been used to grow biofuels in each year since 1997.

Elliot Morley: Detailed information on the end-use of potential biofuel crops is only available where farmers claim the Energy Aid payment. This was introduced in 2004 and 2826 ha of oilseed rape were planted on non set-aside land for biodiesel production in Northamptonshire in that year.
	In addition, 36 ha of miscanthus in 2003 and 45 ha in 2004 were planted under the Energy Crops Scheme for the production of heat or electricity. There were no plantings under the scheme in Northamptonshire from 1997–2002.

Central Heating Installations (Pensioners)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pensioners in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency will be eligible for free installation of central heating announced in the pre-Budget report.

Elliot Morley: It was announced in the pre-Budget report that an additional £300 million would be made available to tackle fuel poverty across the UK.
	In England, this means that an additional £250 million will be made available to boost the delivery of central heating measures to pensioner households, and particularly those on pension credit through the Warm Front Scheme.
	In Middlesbrough, there are 8,400 pension credit claimants and in Redcar and Cleveland there are some 8,000 claimants 1 . Assistance from Warm Front is available for homeowners and tenants in the private sector, so a number of these claimants could be eligible for support from Warm Front.
	Those not in receipt of a qualifying benefit at the time of application to Warm Front are offered a benefit entitlement check, which is designed to provide both the potential of increasing household income and to establish eligibility of households to benefit from measures under Warm Front.
	1 Information taken from latest available DWP statistics on number of pension credit claimants by local authority area.

Climate Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to announce the findings of the Climate Change Review; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: We are aiming to publish the revised Climate Change Programme well in advance of the Easter recess.

Climate Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the climate change review; and whether she plans to make these findings public.

Elliot Morley: The review of the UK climate change programme was launched in September 2004. A consultation as part of the review was launched on 8 December 2004 at a stakeholder event. Around 300 written responses were received as a result.
	IPA Energy Consulting was asked to complete an independent analysis of the responses. Their report can be found at the DEFRA website:
	(http://defraweb/environment/climatechange/uk/ukccp/review.htm).

Coastal Erosion

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Environment Agency fulfills its contractual obligations to maintain the sea defences at Unit 20 of the Beachy Head to Selsey bill shoreline management plan.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is not generally contractually bound to undertake sea defence works. There are instances where, historically, the Environment Agency's predecessors have entered into agreements with individuals or organisations regarding the maintenance of sea defences.
	The first review of the Beachy Head to Selsey bill shoreline management plan (SMP) Unit 20 recommends a policy of managed re-alignment for the River Arun to Poole Place Groyne frontage, Littlehampton. It is proposed that this policy will enable the shape of the coastline to be realigned slightly to enable a more naturally functioning coastline to develop. The exact details of any realignment scheme, including the need for any secondary defences, will be developed in due course following agreement of the SMP.
	There are historical agreements that cover the western 1.5km of this 3.5km frontage. These agreements relate to the maintenance of the shingle beach and groynes that were in place when the agreements were made. The Environment Agency has had dialogue with the landowner and is due to meet him in the new year to discuss the long-term plans for the frontage. The Environment Agency is also continuing with operations to maintain the shingle defence by recycling material along the frontage, and will undertake some work on the timber groynes early in 2006.

Damson Trees

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of damson trees in the UK in each of the last five years; and what steps she is taking to preserve them.

Jim Knight: Defra does not collect data on the number of damson trees in the UK, though the hectarage of plums is recorded annually within theOrchard Fruit Survey for England and Wales. As an important feature of certain rural landscapes, damson orchards have been targeted for restoration through funding under agri-environment schemes, including the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

Departmental Buildings

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the Department's buildings are powered by renewable energy; and what plans she has to increase this proportion.

Jim Knight: Of the sites for which DEFRA and its Executive Agencies have a contractual responsibility for electricity supplies, 44 percent. are powered from renewable sources. This represented 52 percent. of the total electricity used in 2004–05, 83 percent. at DEFRA buildings and 48 percent. at buildings occupied by agencies.
	At contract renewal, opportunities are sought to secure renewable supplies for further sites. We are also actively promoting self-generation of electricity at a number of our sites.

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants in each grade have left her Department in each of the last three years to join consultancy firms; and which firm each joined.

Jim Knight: Staff leaving the Department are not required in all circumstances to state the organisation that they are expecting to join. However, civil servants are required to familiarise themselves with, and as appropriate abide by, the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments by Crown servants set out in the Civil Service Management Code. Therefore, civil servants may have to obtain approval before taking up certain types of employment within two years of leaving the service. Records of such requests for approval are not held electronically and therefore the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Estate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) land and (b) property her Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Lists containing the names and addresses of land and property owned (freehold) and rented (leasehold) by the Department in each constituency are given in the tables which have been placed in the Library.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of each Civil Service grade in her Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) will write to the hon. Member with details for the civil service of the percentage of staff in post by region and grade responsibility and the median salary of staff in post by region and grade responsibility as at 1 April 2004. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Entry Level Scheme

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the production of maps to be used for applications under the entry level scheme.

Jim Knight: Entry level stewardship (ELS) maps are produced by the Rural Development Service when the applicant requests a pre-application pack; the maps are based upon data contained within the Rural Land Register.
	The information contained within the map forms a fundamental component of the legal agreement and in particular supports the on site compliance inspections that we are required to undertake.
	There have been some problems with incomplete registrations of land on the Rural Land Register, as a backlog of cases developed at the Rural Payments Agency. This occurred when registration requests relating to single payment scheme and environmental stewardship increased to an unprecedented level. However, earlier in the year, outstanding cases that were identified as being linked to an environmental stewardship application were prioritised. Registration for this group of applicants has now been largely completed by the Rural Payments Agency, as part of the on-going efforts to deal with the backlog generated earlier in the year.
	Nationally there are now more than 11,000 entry level scheme agreements in place.

EU Environment Council

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) matters were discussed and (b) decisions were taken at the EU Environment Council on 2 December; on which decisions a vote took place; and how matters affecting the environment in Wales were represented.

Elliot Morley: A written ministerial statement on the outcome of the council was made on 13 December 2005, Official Report, columns 135–37WS, in line with the procedures introduced in May 2005.
	The Welsh Assembly Government interests were fully involved in agreeing UK positions, where these had a bearing on devolved matters, in the usual way.

EU Sugar Regime

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact on jobs in London of the proposed EU draft changes to the European Union sugar regime; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has separately reported to the House, agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime was successfully concluded under the UK Presidency at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 November.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared by DEFRA following the publication of the Commission's proposals for reform in June this year included consideration of the likely impact on employment in both the sugar production and processing sectors in the UK as well as in companies using sugar as a raw ingredient.
	A significant employer in London in the sugar sector is Tate and Lyle. Assessing the impact on its business of the decisions now reached is a commercial matter for the company itself. In a press release issued following the Council agreement the company made the following statement,
	Whilst the long-term impact on Tate & Lyle remains significant, the final decision to make the cut in the sugar reference price of 36% (instead of the 39% previously proposed) and to delay the implementation of the price reduction is very welcome."

Expert Advisory Committees

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account she takes of advice from (a) toxicologists working in industry, (b) academics funded by agrochemical companies and (c) employees of contract research organisations whose income is dependent on agrochemical companies who sit on expert advisory committees.

Elliot Morley: The Secretary of State takes advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) on matters relating to the control of pests, including advice on the approvals of pesticides. Members of the ACP declare any interests in the agrochemical industry in accordance with their published code of practice. These interests are published in the ACP's annual report.

Farm Payments

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the farm mapping in respect of the deadline for single payments for farmers of 14 February 2006 is expected to be completed.

Jim Knight: The Rural Payments Agency is planning to have completed digitising and uploading data into its computer system by the end of January.

Farm Subsidies

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much interest she expects will have accumulated on Single Payment Scheme funds between December 2005 and February 2006; and what proportion of that interest she expects will be distributed to farmers. [R]

Jim Knight: Common Agricultural Policy funding is reimbursed by the Commission two months in arrears after payment to claimants. No interest will therefore accumulate on Single Payment Scheme funds between December 2005 and February 2006.

Flooding

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on flooding in the Severn Basin of the strategy to reduce water levels in the Clywedog Dam; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is the principal authority with responsibility for flood risk management in England. The extent to which both the Clywedog and Vyrnwy Reservoirs can help mitigate the effects of flooding in the Severn Basin is limited as any beneficial effect to alleviate flooding rapidly diminishes downstream. Other parts of the catchment also contribute floodwater and the proportion that the reservoir holds back becomes smaller as the total catchment area gets bigger.
	The catchment area above Clywedog Dam is 2 per cent. of the entire catchment draining to Shrewsbury and 1 per cent. of the catchment draining to Bridgnorth. Previous studies have indicated that the influence of floodwater storage at Llyn Clywedog has extended only as far as Buttington.
	A study in 1999 for the Environment Agency confirmed that existing reservoir flood drawdown controls, in place for many years, adequately maximise the opportunity for local flood alleviation. The findings of this study have been reviewed as part of the Fluvial Severn Flood Risk Management Strategy, which was issued for public consultation (including to local MPs) in the summer of 2005.
	The Environment Agency's strategy to lower water levels in these reservoirs means more storage being available to hold water during periods of heavy rainfall. This assists flood risk management in the Severn Basin insofar as the reservoirs influence this. However, it should be remembered that the primary function of the reservoirs is to maintain flow in the River Severn during dry periods.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of her Department's funding in 200506 of research on GM crops and food was allocated to products aimed at benefiting developing countries.

Elliot Morley: My department does not fund any suchresearch on GM crops and food. Any such work would be the responsibility of the Department for International Development.
	DEFRA does fund research into the environmental safety of GMOs to underpin our regulatory responsibilities for the regulation of GMOs within a European context.
	Details of our current research programme are available through the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/research/index.htm

Lyons Review

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many departmental officials will be moved from London offices to York; and whether this represents a reduction in overall numbers employed by the Department under the Lyons Review recommendation.

Jim Knight: To date 22 posts have relocated from London and the South East to York. Around 115 additional posts are planned for relocation to York by March 2008. These relocations all form part of wider transformation programmes, some of which include staff reductions, in line with the Department's Spending Review 04 efficiency targets .

Markets

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact on environmental regulation of the EU directive on services in the internal market.

Elliot Morley: The economic benefits of the proposed services directive are likely to be substantial. The Department is discussing the impact of the draft directive on a number of our areas of responsibility, including environmental regulation, with the Department for Trade and Industry as the negotiations progress.

National Parks Authority

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many prosecutions were brought by National Parks Authority in each year since 1995;
	(2)  how many prosecutions have been brought by National Parks against landowners for impeding access to footpaths in the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: This information is not held centrally.

National Parks Authority

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers national parks have to (a) investigate and (b) prosecute landowners for impeding access to footpaths; and what the legislative basis is for these powers.

Jim Knight: National Park Authorities may exercise 1980 Highways Act powers under delegation from the highways authority. The extent of that delegation is variable, depending on what agreement each National Park Authority has reached with its highways authority about rights of way work.

Nuclear Power Stations

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) assessment she has made of and (b) research she has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on the impact on surrounding agricultural land of (A) building, (B) operating and (C) decommissioning nuclear powerstations.

Elliot Morley: No assessments or research of this kind have been commissioned by DEFRA. Environmental impact assessments are required for both the construction and decommissioning of nuclear power stations. Measurements of radioactivity in the environment, including around nuclear power stations, are given in the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment report published by the Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Environment  Heritage Service of Northern Ireland and the Food Standards Agency.

Pesticides

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will require the members of (a) the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) and (b) the ACP's Medical and Toxicology Panel to update their declarations of interests within a fortnight of any change; and if she will publish the declarations on the internet.

Elliot Morley: The current arrangements provide a substantial amount of information about the interests of the ACP and its Medical and Toxicology Panel. Members of the ACP are required to make their declarations of interest on appointment and annually thereafter, as set out in the ACP code of practice. This annual register of interests is published in the annual report both in hard copy and on the website.
	Interests are also required to be declared at ACP meetings. Members are asked to identify any personal specific interests in advance of papers being distributed for meetings (those with personal interests do not receive the papers and leave the meeting for discussion of that specific item) and to declare any of these interests ahead of discussion at ACP meetings. Where a member declares an interest in an item for discussion at the ACP this is recorded in the minutes which are published on the website.
	Membership of the ACP's panels, including the Medical and Toxicology Panel, is published in the ACP annual report. Members of the panels are not appointed as independent experts but include representative organisations and officials as well as members of the ACP. The interests of the ACP members are declared and the affiliations of the other members are published in the ACP annual report.

Private Members Bills

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those Private Members' Bills introduced under (a) Standing Order No.14(6), (b) Standing Order No.23 and (c) Standing Order No.57 which were (i)supported and (ii) opposed by her Department in each session since 199798.

Jim Knight: The information requested by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Rural Crime

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on measures to tackle rural crime, with particular reference to the theft of agricultural equipment.

Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Margaret Beckett) met with the Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) on 15 November 2005 to discuss Home Office measures to tackle rural crime.
	On 30 November 2005, I also met with the Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State (Hazel Blears) to discuss recent Home Office policies to tackle rural crime.
	In addition, DEFRA officials have met with Home Office officials on a number of occasions to discuss measures to tackle rural crime, including the theft of agriculture equipment.

Rural Payments Agency

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the Rural Payments Agency will begin processing applications under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable scheme in time for Producer Organisations to meet the registration deadline of 15 December 2005.

Jim Knight: holding answer 13 December 2005
	Applications for recognition as new Producer Organisations are being processed by the Rural Payments Agency and will be completed by the 15 December 2005.
	A similar deadline operates for decisions on operational programmes and funds from these new Producer Organisations and for amendments to existing operational programmes. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2190/2004 allows member states to take these decisions not later than 20 January 2005 following the date of application. The UK has decided to implement this option and extend the approval deadline for new operational programmes and amendments to existing operational programmes to 20 January 2006. Existing and potential Producer Organisations were informed of this revised date on 7 December 2005.

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what tests have been applied to applications under the 2005 Single Farm Payment Scheme in England to ensure that applicants are in legal occupation of the holdings used for the claim.

Jim Knight: There is no requirement in the European Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme that the farmer claiming aid has to be in legal occupation of the land supporting the claim. However, to receive payment the farmer must carry out an agricultural activity or maintain the land in good agricultural or environmental condition and the land has to be at the farmer's disposal for 10 months of the year between prescribed dates. Compliance monitoring inspections, including checks on the 10 month provision, are undertaken on a proportion of claims. Where two or more claims are made on the same land parcel claims will be investigated and resolved.

Spiders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many venomous spiders that do not naturally live in the United Kingdom have been found in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years, broken down by type.

Jim Knight: All spiders have the ability to produce venom with which they immobilise their prey, but not all spiders are considered to be venomous in the sense that they may pose a threat to human health.
	No one agency collates all the recorded finds of non-native spiders found in the UK. Specimens are sent to a variety of organisations including local environmental health officers, pest control companies, local and national museums and universities for examination and identification. It is therefore impossible to put an absolute figure on the number of non-native spiders recorded in the UK on an annual basis.
	The Central Science Laboratory, an executive agency of DEFRA, provides an invertebrate identification service primarily for plant health quarantine purposes and does receive a limited number of spider specimens each year. During the last five-year period this service saw an average of 26 spiders per annum, almost all collected off plant material with some import connection. Approximately 90 per cent. of these were non-native species. Of these, only one species, the Melbourne trap-door spider (Stanwellia grisea), is considered to be venomous to man. One confirmed, and two unconfirmed, specimens of this species were intercepted on tree ferns imported from Australia in 2004. This spider has very large fangs and can inflict a painful, but not dangerous bite. Since this find, tree ferns have been subject to greater control prior to export from Australia and New Zealand and so live invertebrates such as this are less likely to be encountered on this commodity.
	Another traditional means of spiders entering the country in an uncontrolled way has been via bananas, although this is now very rare since not only are banana crops increasingly sprayed with pesticides during growth, but refrigeration kills any travellers who escape that. Similarly, arrival on uncut timber is much reduced, since the amount of 'raw' timber imported has fallen, replaced by processed timber.

Taxi Travel

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold centrally information on the cost of travel by taxi, this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Unlawful Activities

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what activities have been made unlawful by legislation introduced by her Department since 1 May 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The following Acts created criminal offences in the 200203 session of Parliament
	Animal Health Act 2002 (c.42)
	Created several criminal offences including the offence of deliberately infecting an animal with any one of 15 diseases specified in the Act, including foot-and-mouth disease. The schedule created an offence of failing to comply with a restriction notice preventing the use for breeding of sheep that are of a genotype that is susceptible to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) and also offences of obstructing an inspector carrying out duties under the Act.
	The Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 (c.33)
	Provided powers to make offences by regulation for failures to comply with the scheme to be created.
	The Water Act 2003 (c.37)
	Made it an offence under Part 1 to fail to comply with a notice served by the Environment Agency requiring work to be carried out on facilities for impounding water or a licence application to be made for unlicensed impounding works.
	Where abstraction or impounding takes place without a licence or does not comply with the terms of a licence, the Act made it an offence to fail to comply with an enforcement notice issued by the Environment Agency.
	Part 2 created the offence of introducing water to or supplying water from a water undertaker's supply system without being a water undertaker or a licensed supply person. Under Part 3 it is an offence for an owner of manager of a large raised reservoir to fail to prepare a flood plan when required to do so. Part 3 also extended the offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption to apply to persons including employees of the water undertaker and self-employed people involved with the supply of water.
	During the 200304 session the following Acts created criminal offences:
	The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (c.11)
	Makes it an offence for any person to act as an unlicensed gangmaster and for any other person to enter into arrangements with an unlicensed gangmaster.
	The Act also created other offences in relation to forgery of documents.
	The Highways (Obstruction by Body Corporate) Act 2004 (c.29)
	Extended the offence of obstructing a highway under the Highways Act 1980 so that the directors, managers and other company officers of a guilty company may also be found guilty of the obstruction if it was committed with their consent, connivance or attributable to their neglect.
	The Hunting Act 2004 (c.37)
	Made it an offence under Part 1 to hunt a wild mammal with a dog, except in some circumstances such as where the dog is being used for stalking and flushing-out only, or to participate in, attend or knowingly facilitate a hare-coursing event.
	Part 1 also makes it an offence for the owner of a dog to permit it to be used for hunting or hare-coursing or for the owner of land to allow the land to be entered or used for hunting or hare-coursing.
	During the 20042005 session the following Act created criminal offences:
	The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (c.16)
	Created offences in relation to nuisance parking which is the selling or repairing of vehicles on a road by persons in business. Part 6 of the Act created offences in relation to breach of dog control orders, which in relation to specified land may exclude dogs from the land, or prohibit the fouling of the land, or require dogs to be kept on leads when on the land or may limit the number of dogs a person may take onto the specified land. In relation to certain premises in an Alarm Notification Area Part 7 of the Act created offences of failing to nominate a key-holder where an audible intruder alarm is present.
	The Act also made many existing offences punishable by a fixed penalty notice.

Upland Farmers

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that Entry Level Stewardship takes into account the special character of the English uplands in relation to payment options.

Jim Knight: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The creation of Environmental Stewardship (of which Entry Level Stewardship is a part), involved extensive consultations with stakeholders and other interested groups. Entry Level Stewardship, as the 'whole farm' scheme open to all farmers and land managers, has been designed to cover the vast majority of landscapes and farming systems in England, including those found in upland areas.
	The uplands have a specific range of options, such as those relating to moorland and rough grazing which take into account farming systems in those areas. Entry Level Stewardship has a national payment rate of 30per hectare, per year, however land parcels of 15hectares or more in the Less Favoured Area, are eligible for payments of 8 per hectare, per year. This lower payment rate reflects the reduced management input required for these options.

Water Consumption

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the number of litres of (a) sparkling and (b) still water consumed in the United Kingdom in (i)2001 and (ii) 2002.

Jim Knight: It is estimated that 747 million litres of mineral water were consumed by household members in the UK in the period from April 2001 to March 2002 and 793 million litres in the period from April 2002 to March 2003. These estimates are based upon records of consumer purchases from the Expenditure and Food Survey which doesn't distinguish between still and sparkling mineral water. Figures published by Mintel in its bottled water report of June 2005 indicate that 20 per cent. of bottled water in 2001 was sparkling.

Zoonotic Disease

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has evaluated on the zoonotic disease risks arising from the intensification of (a) meat and (b) dairy production in other countries.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra has not specifically evaluated or commissioned work on the zoonotic disease risks arising from the intensification of meat or dairy production in other countries. However, Defra's veterinary surveillance strategy has the detection of new and emerging animal disease threats as one of its aims.
	Defra collaborates closely with the Department of Health on zoonotic risks through the National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections. This body has within its remit the identification of emerging and potential infectious threats to public health both nationally and internationally.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what administrative savings have been made by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Gareth Thomas: The administration costs outturn figures for DFID for the past eight years are set out in the following table:
	
		
		
			  Running costs outturn Administration costs outturn 
		
		
			 199798 52,000,000  
			 199899 59,000,000  
			 19992000 75,000,000  
			 200001 73,000,000  
			 200102 82,000,000  
			 200203 94,000,000  
			 200304  197,000,000 
			 200405 (DFID resource account  200405)  212,000,000 
		
	
	Sources:
	[Figures for 199798 to 200304 from DR 2000, 2004, 2005.
	Figure for 200405 from DFID resource accounts 200405]
	Comparisons between administration budgets in 200304 and earlier years are not possible, due to the adoption of a new administration definition which included administration related items previously recorded within programme expenditure. The new definition improves transparency and management of administration costs.
	Since 1997 the overseas budget has increased significantly, DFID's resource Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) increased by 50.8 per cent. between 199899 and 200405. Over the same period, the administration budget has grown modestly to support the expanding programme.
	Under the SR04 Efficiency Programme, DFID will be saving 20 million in administration costs by 200708 (in 200708 prices) over a baseline of the 200506 budget. Headcount reductions and relocations contribute towards this, as does a reduction of the support services budget by 4.2 million, taking into account inflation, by 200708, over the same baseline. Further details can be found in DFID's Efficiency Technical Note, available on the DFID website address at www.dfid.gov.uk

Afghanistan

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking in Afghanistan to provide alternative poppy cultivation; and what progress is being made.

Hilary Benn: DFID leads the Government's efforts to develop alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan. In financial year 200506, DFID is spending over 45 million on alternative livelihoods. This is almost a tenfold increase on the amount spent in 200304.
	DFID's assistance is closely aligned with the Government of Afghanistan's leadership on alternative livelihoods. DFID has invested a 27 million in quick impact alternative livelihoods this year. This is going through the Afghan Government's National Priority Programmes. This support will provide over 3 million labour days; access to microfinance for over 20,000 new clients including opium debt refinancing; and support for local infrastructure development to 150 villages.
	DFID funding also helps improve long-term agricultural opportunities for Afghan farmers. DFID is contributing a joint US$30 million nationwide programme with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to increase access for over 500,000 farmers to seeds and fertiliser as an alternative to poppy. Innovative ways for farmers to make a living are also being pursued, including apricot drying, honey bee keeping, tailoring and weaving and the introduction of fruit tree nurseries and greenhouses for vegetable production.
	At the same time as developing agricultural opportunities, it is important to develop non-farm alternative livelihoods if we are to ensure longer term sustainability. DFID activities in Badakshan and Eastern Hazarajat provinces are developing sustainable economic alternatives and social incentives to enable farmers to stop growing poppy.

Food Emergencies

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 513W, on food emergencies, what recent assessments his Department has made of food emergencies in (a) Angola, (b) Burkina Faso, (c) Burundi, (d) Chad, (e) the Central African Republic, (f) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (g) Cote d'Ivoire, (h) Eritrea, (i) Ethiopia, (j) Guinea, (k) Kenya, (l) Lesotho, (m) Liberia, (n) Malawi, (o) Mali, (p) Mauritania, (q) Niger, (r) Sierra Leone, (s) Somalia, (t) Sudan, (u) Swaziland, (v) Tanzania, (w) Uganda and (x) Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: DFID routinely monitors the humanitarian situation across Africa, and follows up on reports of significantly changes with more detailed assessments. In most of these countries the situation remains largely unchanged since our October analysis, with the exception of Southern Africa and Somalia, where the situation has recently deteriorated.
	In Southern Africa, DFID's assessment is that 11.4 million people are facing food shortages and are in need of assistance. As a result, our humanitarian commitment to the affected countries in the region has recently increased to 64 million. This includes 18.2 million to Malawi, 41 million to Zimbabwe, 350,000 to Lesotho, and 300,000 to Swaziland.
	In Somalia, the drought continues to intensify, affecting up to 400,000 people and resulting in very high rates of malnutrition in some areas. To respond, DFID has recently allocated 1 million to the World Food Programme's emergency operation in Somalia.
	Angola, which was not covered in the response provided on 27 October 2005, is not facing a food emergency, having benefited from a record harvest in 2005. However, pockets of vulnerable and food-insecure people remain, particularly recently repatriated refugees, and aspects of DFID's 6 million humanitarian assistance to Angola over the last two years have been geared to meeting their needs.

GM Crops

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effects on developing countries of golden rice;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the economic impact of growing genetically modified crops in developing countries;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the impact of biotechnology companies' contracts on seed sharing and saving in developing countries.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 19 December 2205
	The Nuffield Council on Bioethics report (2004) provided a review of the actual and potential benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops for developing countries. The Government shares the report's conclusions that achieving food security and reducing poverty in developing countries are complex issues, that GM crops are unlikely to feed the world, but that in some circumstances they could make a useful contribution to improving the livelihoods of poor people in developing countries.
	In 2000, DFID funded a study on the development of methodologies for assessing the impacts of modern agricultural biotechnology on poor people. DFID has not made specific assessments on the benefits or potential problems of golden rice or the impact of biotechnology companies on seed sharing and saving in developing countries.
	DFID takes genetic modification in crops and foods and its potential impacts on developing countries very seriously. Our approach is based on the principle that the health of people and their environment is of primary concern. We recognise that GM technology in itself will not solve the problem of world hunger. It can, however, be used safely and effectively to promote development and reduce poverty, if managed responsibly and applied to those crops on which the poor rely.
	Recognising that there are both potential benefits and risks associated with GM crops, developing countries should be able to make their own informed choices about whether to adopt GM technologies. To this end, DFID worked with The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and other Government Departments to establish the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
	The Protocol aims to ensure that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of genetically modified organisms. It also facilitates the exchange of information on living modified organisms and assists countries in the implementation of the Protocol. The Protocol has a strong precautionary approach. This means that importing countries are able to make a decision to avoid or minimise potential adverse effects of GM organisms, even if there is a lack of scientific certainty on the extent of such potential adverse effects.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions since 7 July he has used the London Underground in connection with his official duties.

Hilary Benn: This information is not recorded.

World Water Forum

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who from his Department will attend the World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006; and what his Department's role will be at the forum.

Hilary Benn: The Fourth World Water Forum that is due to be held in Mexico City from 16 to 22 March 2006 will be attended by senior officials from the Department for International Development. DFID will use the forum to re-confirm the main outcomes of the 14th session of the Commission for Sustainable Development and to push for more effective implementation of the work of the UN agencies involved with water and sanitation. The Minister of State for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will represent the UK at the high level segment of the forum.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list departmental projects conducted by consultants in each year since 2000; what the cost was in each case; and what the total cost of employing consultants was in each year.

Mike O'Brien: Detailed information on the use and total cost of consultants for the Law Officers' Departments in the years in question could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost. The following data identifies projects where the Law Officers' Departments have brought in special skills and expertise to provide an independent assessment on significant business areas.
	
		
		
			  200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Crown Prosecution Service   
			 Equality and diversity review of CPS 9,143 116,755 
			 Research assessment of how CPS manages diversity issues in the prosecution process  257,491 346,553 139,553   
			 Review of governance and communications   47,685 16,866   
			 Value for money assessment of the COMPASS contract64,085   
			 Review of internal and external communications 26,781  
			 Review of the CPS Equality and Diversity Complaints Procedure 19,153  
			
			 HM CPS Inspectorate   
			 Review of, and provide advice on, HMCPSI's Risk Register7,500   
			 Provision of advice on development of service level agreements for support services within HMCPSI5,422   
			
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Service (1) (1) (1) (1) (1)  
			 Consultancy in support of the Department's pay system  8,500 
			
			 Serious Fraud Office   
			 Operational effectivenesselectronic presentation of evidence   9,000 38,000 40,000 16,000 
			 Docman 78,000 107,000 514,000 389,000 858,000 177,000 
			 Advice on strategic effectiveness 26,000 16,000 
			 Finance Systems  40,000 80,000 12,000 77,000 45,000 
			 Finance functional review45,000 6,000  
			 Human resources  24,000 3,000  45,000 45,000 
			 Information technology security 42,000 111,000 12,000 3,000   
			 Information technology infrastructure 63,000  82,000 155,000 155,000 293,000 
			 Accommodation  24,000 51,000 14,000 23,000 20,000 
			
			 Treasury Solicitor's Office   
			 Pay and grading, competency framework and job evaluation 45,300 47,383 16,683 4,250   
			 Quinquennial Review  60,000 
			 360 degree feedback  22,709 13,848
			 Staff survey   10,000 35,100 28,552  
			 Equal pay review   19,000 2,000 12,161  
			 Diversity issues   3,224 6,866   
			 Review of business process targets and PRACAMs development   93,860
			 Review of costs  5,500 
			
			 Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers   
			 Financial Management and Human Resources 9,867  
			 Human Resources and Website development  8,418 
		
	
	(1)RCPS was established on 18 April 2005.

Departmental Building

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) the current and (ii) the next financial year; and what the estimated costs are of each project.

Mike O'Brien: None of the Law Officers' Departments has any building projects planned in either 200506 or 200607.
	The Crown Prosecution Service and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate have no refurbishment projects planned in either 200506 or 200607.
	The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was established on 18 April 2005 and has a project underway to refurbish its office accommodation in accordance with the Gower Hammond, Butterfield and HMCPSI reports. The work is due for completion by March 2006 at an estimated cost of 850,000. They have no refurbishment plans for 200607.
	The Serious Fraud Office will upgrade its office accommodation at Elm House at an estimated cost of 500,000 in 200506 and 1,500,000 in 200607.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Office relocated its office in 200506 to accommodation rented from the Civil Aviation Authority, refurbishment of which was undertaken by the CAA. TSol has no other plans for refurbishment in either 200506 or 200607.
	The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers expects to re-locate its offices in 200607 or 200708 and refurbishment of the new location may be necessary but no decision has yet been made nor any project costs estimated.

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Horwood: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Law Officers Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project.

Mike O'Brien: The Attorney-General's Office does not sponsor any agencies but the Law Officers superintend the Crown Prosecution Service, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, Serious Fraud Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Office.
	None of the Departments have employed external public relations agencies.
	The CPS has not incurred expenditure on the design and production of new logos. Expenditure has been incurred nationally on graphic design agencies to assist in the production of internal and external communication material about the role and work of the CPS is shown in the following table. Records are not kept centrally on expenditure on external graphic design by CPS areas but it would be minimal.
	
		
			 Project 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 'Inform'/'CPS News' 10,108 14,060 15,490 39,870 46,750 42,360 
			 Area Annual Reports 20,204 11,999 8,473 15,546 21,080 7,108 
			 CPS Annual Report 4,381 (2)6,120 (2)6,433 6,552 9,653 10,123 
			 Intranet design work  80,345 20,562
			 CPS Business Plan6,392 5,699 7,508 
			 'Charging' project13,625 5,888 1,287 
			 Network Newsletter 14,353  
			 'COMPASS' Annual Report 10,918  
			 Prosecution College 1,800  
			 Law Scholarship Scheme 10,340  
			 HR design work 48,694 4,818 
			 'No Witness, No Justice' project 176 6,033 
			 Invest project  8,200 
			  34,693 112,524 50,958 81,985 175,351 87,437 
		
	
	(2)estimated.
	HMCPSI has not incurred expenditure on the design and production of new logos. On graphic design services it has spent:
	
		
			 Project 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Design of Report covers 2,251   
			 Design of HMCPSI Annual  Report 200204 and 200405  8,807 10,535 
		
	
	RCPO came into being on 18 April 2005 and employed the Central Office of Information to develop its first logo and design corporate material to establish its identity. Final invoices have not yet been received but the budget for all the design and logo work is under 40,000.
	In 2004, SFO spent 3,290 on the design of new logos. Its graphic design expenditure is integral to a small publications programme and the cost cannot be separately identified.
	In 200405, the Treasury Solicitor's Office employed a design consultancy to create and develop a new corporate identity and supply final artwork and implementation guidelines for a cost of 18,900.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Solicitor-General what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Mike O'Brien: Currently none of the Law Officers' Departments 1 is undertaking any research project.
	1 The Law Officers' Departments are the Crown Prosecution Service, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, Serious Fraud Office and Treasury Solicitors' Office (including the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers).

Departmental Tendering Policy

Martin Horwood: To ask the Solicitor-General what the Law Officer's Departments' policy is on including (a) ethical and (b) environmental factors in tenders for services.

Mike O'Brien: The Law Officers' Departments expect to let their contracts in accordance with moral principles and consider the suitability of any contractor to perform services on their behalf, including any instance where evidence to the contrary was presented, before awarding the contract.
	Letting of the Departments' contracts complies with the Government's procurement principles and Community law. Where relevant, the approach taken by contractors to minimising impact on the environment when performing services on behalf of the Departments forms part of the evaluation criteria used to award contracts.

Equitable Life

Vincent Cable: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column502W, on Equitable Life, what account he takes of the completion of relevant civil actions on 2 December; and when the Serious Fraud Office will report on its examination of Equitable Life, commissioned by his Department in January 2004.

Mike O'Brien: On 19 December 2005 the Serious Fraud Office reported that it will not open an investigation into the Equitable Life Assurance Society.
	After careful consideration of the available evidence, including the penrose report and material held by the Society and following the result of the Society's civil action against its previous auditors and some of its former directors. The Serious Fraud Office confirmed that nothing has emerged which would justify a full criminal investigation into the affairs of the Equitable Life Assurance Society.

Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act

Pete Wishart: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  what discussions the Attorney General has had with the Scottish Executive on the commencement of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990;
	(2)  what assessment the Attorney General has made of the implications for the legal services sector in Scotland of the non-commencement of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.

Mike O'Brien: The Attorney General has not any discussions or carried out any assessment of the implications for the legal services sector in Scotland of the non-commencement of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Law Officers' Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Mike O'Brien: The Law Officers Departments have spent the following amounts on media monitoring services, for those years where departmental records have not been destroyed or identification would not incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
		
			 Department 199889 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Legal Secretariat to Law Officers  4,694 12,699 13,802 
			 Crown Prosecution Service 
			 HMCPS Inspectorate 0 0 0 0 
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office(4) 
			 Serious Fraud Office 9,285 8,581 6,984 4,677 
			 Treasury Solicitor's Office 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Department 200203 200304 200405 200506(3) 
		
		
			 Legal Secretariat to Law Officers 15,905 16,020 23,159 29,378 
			 Crown Prosecution Service 25,097 78,823 15,872 31,626 
			 HMCPS Inspectorate 0 0 0 0 
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office(4)0 
			 Serious Fraud Office 11,457 13,369 11,289 7,691 
			 Treasury Solicitor's Office 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	(3)200506 to date.
	(4)RCPO was established on 18 April 2005

SCOTLAND

Cold Weather Payments

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid in cold weather payments in winter 200405 to households in (a) Midlothian and (b) Scotland.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Area Amount of cold weather payments made last winter () 
		
		
			 Midlothian 0 
			 Scotland (5)47,000 
		
	
	(5)Approximately
	Notes:
	1.If the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0 C or below over seven consecutive days at a weather station, then a cold weather payment is triggered for all eligible customers whose postcode is linked to that weather station.
	2.The weather station associated with postcodes in Midlothian did not trigger last winter.
	3.The amount for Scotland is based on the number of people who were estimated to qualify because the weather station linked to their postcode triggered last winter. The number of estimated qualifiers was obtained from the benefit systems at the end of October before last winter. It excludes people on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance who qualified because they had a disabled child aged five or over and who received support for that child via child tax credit.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are taken by his Department to support staff with mental ill-health.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answerI gave on 19 December 2005 Official Report, column 2370W.

Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what discussions the Advocate-General has had with the Scottish Executive on the commencement of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990;
	(2)  what assessment the Advocate-General has made of the implications for the legal services sector in Scotland of the non-commencement of sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.

David Cairns: The commencement of these sections is a matter for Scottish Executive Ministers. It is for Scottish Executive Ministers to assess the implications of non-commencement.

HEALTH

Alzheimer's Disease

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has issued to general practitioners on drugs which are suitable for the treatment of the early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued guidance in 2001 on the clinical and cost effectiveness of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. That guidance is currently under review.

Alzheimer's Disease

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is on treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Liam Byrne: The Department's policy on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is clearly stipulated in the mental health standard of the Older People's National Service Framework (NSF).
	This policy statement has been recently reinforced with the publication of our service development guide, Everybody's Business, which outlines the key components of a comprehensive older people's mental health service including dementia care.

Waiting Lists

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has given in respect of the management of hospital waiting lists.

Liam Byrne: The Department has published a wide range of advice to help the NHS improve the service it provides to patients, including reducing waiting times.
	Guidance on the management of waiting times is available on the Department's website.

NHS Complaints Procedure

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the NHS complaints procedure.

Jane Kennedy: We are working closely with stakeholders to develop a more patient-focused system. This will build on the transfer of responsibility for independent review of complaints which is now undertaken by the Healthcare Commission.

Private Health Providers

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by acute trusts on directly and indirectly commissioning and subcontracting private health providers in 200405.

Patricia Hewitt: This information is not collected.
	However, in 200405 NHS spending on non-NHS healthcare was over 3.6 billion. This includes expenditure on services provided by all non-NHS bodies, including local authorities, other statutory bodies, and the independent sector.
	NHS spending on the nationally procured independent sector services was 78.8 million in 200405 and is included in the above figure.

Mental Health

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to be in a position to publish the Mental Health Bill.

Rosie Winterton: The Mental Health Bill was in the Queen's Speech for this Session. We plan to introduce it when the legislative timetable permits.

Mental Health

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the prospects for mental health care.

Rosie Winterton: The national service framework (NSF) for mental health (1999) has produced demonstrable improvements in specialist care, hospital accommodation, suicide prevention, research, clinical guidance, primary care, access, finance and workforce development.

Mental Health

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of the delay in the introduction of the Mental Health Bill.

Rosie Winterton: Our intention remains, as previously stated, to introduce the Bill in this session when the legislative timetable permits.

Mental Health

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated for mental ill-health in Hackney North and Stoke Newington in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by ethnic origin.

Jane Kennedy: Information is not held in the format requested.

Mental Health

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthhow much was allocated for mental health services in Hackney North and Stoke Newington in each of the last three financial years for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The funding allocations are made to primary care trusts (PCTs) and the City and Hackney PCT funding allocations for the last three financial years are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Funding ( million) 
		
		
			 200304 266.2 
			 200405 295.1 
			 200506 326.1

Mental Health

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding was allocated in Coventry South for mental health services in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts do not receive a separate funding stream for mental health services.

Disability Nurse Specialists

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the appointment of disability nurse specialists at general hospitals.

Liam Byrne: There are no national targets for disability nurse specialists working in general hospitals. It is for the NHS locally to determine skill mix within the nursing work force. The Government have supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing, and hospitals must deploy them as they see fit.

General Ophthalmic Services Contract

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the General Ophthalmic Services contract in England.

Rosie Winterton: Current arrangements provide ready access to a choice of providers for patients who are eligible for NHS-funded sight tests. The Review of General Ophthalmic Services provides an opportunity to review ways in which we and the NHS can build on these successful arrangements.

Primary Care Trusts (North Yorkshire)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the restructuring of primary care trusts in North Yorkshire.

Liam Byrne: In North Yorkshire, the SHA is consulting on two options for PCT reconfiguration. Consultations began on 14 December, and will run for 14 weeks until 22 March.
	No decisions on reconfiguration will be made until the consultation is complete.

Abortion

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, columns 1798W, to the hon. Member for Romford, (Andrew Rosindell), on abortions, if she will make a statement on the increase in expenditure on terminations.

Caroline Flint: The increase in expenditure by the national health service on abortions is likely to be due to a number of factors. The NHS is now funding more abortions than in 1997 (from 123,886 to 152,385 in 2004, a 23 per cent. increase) and the cost of performing an abortion has increased since 1997, as has been the case for most other treatments.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department last undertook an evidence review into the use of (a) RU486 (mifepristone) and (b) the morning-after pill that drew on (i) UK and (ii) international research; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: In the United Kingdom mifepristone (RU486) and the emergency contraceptive pill (as Levonelle-2) have been available as prescription-only medicines since 1991, following advice from the then Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) that was based on a review of all the available evidence for safety, efficacy and quality.
	The safety of mifepristone and the emergency contraceptive pill are also monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on a continual basis using both UK and international data. Thus, yellow card reports of suspected adverse drug reactions, periodic safety update reports submitted by marketing authorisation holders and new research published in the medical literature are reviewed regularly. In the event that these processes identify information that changes the balance of risks and benefits of a medicine, advice is sought from the Commission on Human Medicines, formerly the Committee on Safety of Medicines, and its expert advisory groups.
	When a medicine is on the market, the Department will (re-)review its use in response to a specific stimulus, such as a safety concern, a proposed change in policy or a proposal to change the dose, indication or legal classification. Such reviews take into consideration all relevant data, regardless of whether it was generated in the UK or elsewhere.
	The MHRA, in consultation with the wider Department, reviewed the use of the emergency contraceptive pill in 2001, when Levonelle-2 was made available for sale in pharmacies as Levonelle; in 2003, when the dosing regimen was changed from taking two tablets 12 hours apart to taking them at the same time; and in relation to this, when the strength of the pill was doubled in 2004. Advice from the CSM was sought on all occasions.
	The use of mifepristone was most recently reviewed by the MHRA in September 2005. This followed the receipt of new information about the reporting of serious suspected adverse reactions in the United States of America. No new safety concerns were identified and no action considered necessary. We are also aware that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reviewed the use of mifepristone when producing the 2004 edition of its evidence-based guideline 'The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion'.
	As with all licensed medicines, the safety of the emergency contraceptive pill and mifepristone will continue to be monitored by the MHRA.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which (a) Government Departments and (b) stakeholders outside Government were consulted by her Department when producing the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Prohibition of Abortion (England and Wales) Bill; how many of the outside bodies consulted (i) support and (ii) oppose legalised abortion; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what evidential basis her Department used for the estimate of the number of illegal abortions in Table 1 of the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Prohibition of Abortion (England and Wales) Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: When developing the partial regulatory impact assessment (PRIA) on the proposed Prohibition of Abortion (England and Wales) Bill we contacted a range of Government Departments and stakeholders to get the best possible understanding of the Bill. Whilst we are aware that some of these stakeholders have strong views on abortion we did not seek information on where organisations stand on the broader issue. A list of those consulted is as follows:
	Government Departments
	Department for Education and Skills
	United Kingdom Passport Office
	Home Office
	Scottish Executive
	Welsh Assembly
	Professional bodies and other stakeholders
	British Medical Association
	General Medical Council
	Nursing and Midwifery Council
	Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
	British Association for Adoption and Fostering
	British Pregnancy Advisory Service
	Brook
	Doctors For a Woman's Choice on Abortion
	Family Planning Association
	Fraterdrive Limited
	Irish Embassy
	LIFE
	Marie Stopes International
	Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child
	The number of possible illegal abortions contained in table 1 in the PRIA was estimated from information provided by those responding to the consultation and from examining what happened in other countries where access to abortion is restricted or illegal. The PRIA highlights that any outcomes would evolve over time, requiring around five years to become established.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what administrative savings have been made by her Department in each of the last eight years.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has completed a programme of change which has transformed the Department into a smaller more strategically focused organisation. This was reflected in the Department's Spending Review 2004 settlement, and is reflected in planned spending as transitional costs are completed. The following table shows that, in real terms, over the period 199899 to 200405 the Department's administration costs reduced by 9 per cent., the planned spend in 200708 is 29 per cent., below the 199899 level.
	
		
			  Outturn 
			  199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Cash (as published in Department reports) ( million) 256 268 259 278 296 283 
			 Real terms (GDP deflator, 200708 prices) ( million) 316 324 309 324 334 311 
			 Year on year increase (+) or reduction (-) (percentage)  +3 -5 +5 +3 -7 
			 Cumulative increase (+) or reduction (-) (percentage)  +3 -2 +3 +6 -1 
		
	
	
		
			  Actual outturn Forecast outturn Planned 
			  200405 200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 Cash (as published in Department reports) ( million) 268 246 227 225 
			 Real terms (GDP deflator, 200708 prices) ( million) 289 259 233 225 
			 Year on year increase (+) or reduction (-) (percentage) -7 -10 -10 -3 
			 Cumulative increase (+) or reduction (-) (percentage) -9 -18 -26 -29 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures may not sum due to rounding.

Avian Influenza

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral answer of 17 October 2005, Official Report, column, 632W, on avian influenza, what definition of healthcare worker she plans to use for the purposes of treatment for pandemic influenza; and which categories of worker will be eligible for priority supplies of antivirals.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 December 2005
	We have purchased 14.6 million courses of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to treat the 25 percent. of the population that may fall ill. We are aware of the possibility that a pandemic may strike before theantiviral stockpile is complete. The guidance we have published on antiviral storage and distribution takes this into account. Access to antivirals will need to be prioritised, initially to healthcare workers, and to those who fall into one of the 'clinical at risk' groups, as defined for seasonal flu. We have already received 3.3 million treatment courses, so the issue of prioritisation of healthcare workers should not arise.
	Final decisions regarding prioritisation for vaccine and antivirals will be made on the basis of information emerging from the early stages of the pandemic about the virus and those groups most at risk. The UK National Influenza Pandemic Committee, chaired by the chief medical officer, will provide additional advice as required during the pandemic.

Breast Cancer

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that extra funding for Herceptin will be made available if it is required.

Jane Kennedy: The cost of Herceptin will need to be met from the existing settlement agreed for the national health service.
	We understand that some trusts are already under financial pressures and may have to make difficult decisions in allocating resources. However, we have greatly increased the amount of money going into the NHS and those trusts with deficits have financial recovery plans in place.
	Funding of the NHS has increased from 34.7 billion in 199798 to 69.7 billion in 200405. By 200708 spending on the NHS will have increased to 92 billion.

Care Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the decision in R v. Leonard Cheshire Foundation (2002) H.R.L.R.30 on the enforceability of provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 by those using services provided by organisations registered under the Care Standards Act 2000;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the implications of the decision in R v. Leonard Cheshire Foundation (2002) H.R.L.R.30 for NHS services provided by independent sector providers.

Liam Byrne: Consideration has been given to the application of the Human Rights Act to independent sector bodies carrying out national health service services, and to organisations registered under the Care Standards Act 2000. My noble Friend, Baroness Ashton recently said in parliamentary debate:
	On the issue of public authority ... we share the disappointment about the way 'pubic authority' in the Human Rights Act has been interpreted by the courts. The narrow construction of the definition has not fulfilled our hopes and expectations. The Government are following the advice of the Joint Committee and adopting two strategies to approach the problem. First, ... we are actively seeking a suitable case in which to intervene to argue for a wider definition of public authority. That would include the point ... on local authority-funded residents in private care homes, such as the Leonard Cheshire case.
	Furthermore, we are issuing guidance on how the contracts between public authorities and private organisations for the provision of services may seek to protect convention rights. This is a very important area; noble Lords have referred to the need to think about it very carefully. It will benefit from careful consideration and will therefore be a matter for the discrimination law review to consider.

Childhood Epilepsy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children had epilepsy in the UK in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of children suffering from epilepsy each year is not collected.

Cholesterol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat incentives she plans to offer to pharmacists to offer (a) body mass index tests, (b) cholesterol tests, (c) blood pressure tests and (d) other health checks.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr.Stoate) today.

Cholesterol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the national health service of treating the effects of high cholesterol levels was in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The Department has introduced dietary measures such as the 5-A-Day fruit and vegetable scheme that will impact on the general population with high cholesterol levels, but it is not possible to estimate their proportional effect and costs. The most effective way to treat the effects of high cholesterol is with the prescribing of lipid regulating drugs including statins. This is shown in the table.
	
		Lipid regulating drugs dispensed in England
		
			  Cost () 
		
		
			 2000 326,110,476 
			 2001 438,845,026 
			 2002 570,973,440 
			 2003 715,002,862 
			 2004 769,236,688 
		
	
	Note:
	Prescription information is taken from the prescription cost analysis (PCA) system, supplied by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA), and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community, that is, by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions.
	Source:
	Prescriptions (Statistics and Analysis), Department of Health.

Cholesterol

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will estimate the number of pharmacists who are planning to offer health checks including Body Mass Index tests, cholesterol tests and blood pressure tests in response to the Choosing Health through Pharmacy contract;
	(2)  whether the Government plan (a) to measure and (b) to estimate the number of health checks carried out under the Choosing Health through Pharmacy contract;
	(3)  what estimate the Government has made of how many health checks have taken place so far under the Choosing Health through Pharmacy contract;
	(4)  what measures the Government are taking to improve access testing under the Choosing Health through Pharmacy contract in areas of deprivation and poverty.

Jane Kennedy: New community pharmacy contractual arrangements provide the framework for pharmacy to make a positive contribution to tackling key health priorities such as obesity and coronary heart disease and to improving the health of the public, including where health inequalities persist.
	Some pharmacies offer blood pressure testing, cholesterol testing or a range of other screening tests. Such testing should be in accordance with relevant national screening guidelines, where they exist, and in line with local primary care trust (PCT) programmes for prevention and management of risk factors and with robust quality assurance processes.
	We published Choosing Health through Pharmacy A programme for pharmaceutical public health in April 2005, which aims to maximise the contribution of pharmacists, their staff and the premises in which they work to improve health and reduce health inequalities. This strategy will enable pharmacists and their staff to make better use of their skills and it will open up opportunities for pharmacy to make a bigger difference to improving the health of people in England. PCTs can commission local enhanced services to meet identified health needs.
	Although we do not hold details centrally on the number of pharmacists planning to offer health checks or the numbers of such checks, we have developed an assurance framework for PCTs to use in monitoring pharmacy's implementation of new contractual requirements, and also strategic tests for strategic health authorities to monitor how PCTs are using the new framework to deliver key health priorities and objectives locally.

Community Hospitals (Wiltshire)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat steps she has taken to monitor proposals to close inpatient beds in community hospitals in Wiltshire.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not monitor proposals to close inpatient beds. Changes to services are the responsibility of the local national health service as they are best placed to make decisions about how to provide health services to people in the local community.

Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with Coventry Teaching primary care trust regarding their predicted cash shortfall.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not discussed the matter with Coventry primary care trust. It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves financial balance. This is now a matter for West Midlands South SHA.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost per patient episode is at (a) a dental access centre and (b) a dental surgery operating under the general dental services contract.

Rosie Winterton: The Department only holds information on its central contribution to dental access centres and does not hold full cost information, which includes any primary care trust (PCT) contribution and patient charge revenue. The Department does not have complete data from PCTs on patient throughput in dental access centres. However, based on the Department's total central contribution to the cost of dental access centres and the available data on patient throughput, the estimated average cost per patient episode in 200405 was a maximum of 141.
	For the quarter ending September 2005, the average cost per patient episode, at a dental surgery operating under the general dental services contract was 41.77.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) dental nurses, (b) dental hygienists and (c) dental therapists there are in Tamworth.

Rosie Winterton: As at 30 September 2004 there were no qualified dental therapists employed by Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth Primary care trust (PCT). There are two dental therapists employed by PCTs within the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority area. The number of dental therapists employed privately by dentists is not held by the Department.
	Information about the number of dental nurses and dental hygienists is not held centrally.
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census

Dentistry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on the waiting list for an NHS dentist in Coventry South.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for her Department in (i) each region and (ii)London in 200405.

Jane Kennedy: The Department operates in England only. The Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm6639) gives the provisional 200405 departmental administration costs outturn for England, and the Departmental Report 2005 (Cm 6524), figure 8.1, contains estimated 200405 pay bill outturn.
	Information for each region of the United Kingdom, or London, is not available.

Departmental Estate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which buildings and sites used by her Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation.

Jane Kennedy: Three London buildings, Eileen House and Hannibal House in Central London and Canons Park in Stanmore, have been closed during 2005. No other properties are due to be closed under plans for relocation.

Departmental Estate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) land and (b) property her Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The properties owned or leased by the Department and its executive agencies together with the constituency in which they lie is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Property Department of Health Agency Executive Agency Constituency 
		
		
			 Belgrave Road, London MOTO MOTO Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Cities of London and Westminster 
			 Bury St. Edmunds  Leased National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) Bury St. Edmunds 
			 Crown House, Hitchin  MOTO MHRA Harpenden 
			 Eastway Business Village, Preston Leased   Ribble Valley 
			 Flockton House Leased   Sheffield, Central 
			 Highcroft Lodge Leased   Winchester 
			 Hinchley Wood MOTO Leased MHRA Esher and Walton 
			 Hunter House, Leeds  Leased MHRA City of York 
			 Lightfoot Street, Chester  Leased NHS PASA City of Chester 
			 Market Towers, London  Leased MHRA Battersea 
			 Millennium A, Warrington Leased   Warrington, North 
			 Millennium House, Sheffield  Leased NHS PASA Sheffield, Central 
			 Newbridge Hill Leased   Bath 
			 New Court, London  MOTO MHRA Westminster 
			 NKBH, London MOTO   North Southwark and Bermondsey 
			 Plymouth Leased   Plymouth, Sutton 
			 Premier Buildings, Nelson Leased   Pendle 
			 Premier House  Leased NHS PASA Reading East 
			 Princess Marina Hospital, Northampton  Leased NHS PASA Northampton, South 
			 Quarry House, Leeds MOTO   Leeds, Central 
			 Richmond House, London Freehold   Westminster 
			 Skipton House, London Leased   North Southwark and Bermondsey 
			 WEC, Blackpool  Leased MHRA Blackpool, North and Fleetwood 
			 Wellington House, London Freehold   Vauxhall 
			 Westward House, Bristol MOTO   South Gloucester 
		
	
	Note:
	MOTO is an agreement between Crown Bodies to lease space.

Departmental Estate

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use is being made of each former community health council building in England on which her Department is paying rent; and how much rent her Department is paying on each property.

Jane Kennedy: There were approximately 175 properties occupied by community health councils. The Department's interest in the majority has been disposed of. The Department is currently paying rent on the following former community health council properties in England. Unless otherwise stated they are vacant. Having established that there was no national health service interest they have been actively marketed.
	2224 High Road, Willesdenannual rent 29,375. A notice to break the lease from June 2006 has been served.
	42 Fulham Palace Road, Fulhamannual rent 28,000. The lease expires in December 2005.
	4547 Praed Street, Paddingtonannual rent 130,000. The property is part sub-let at 72,000 per annum.
	Riverside House, Bristolannual rent 32,500. Negotiations with a new occupier recently fell through.
	Heathervale House, Tunbridge Wellsannual rent 19,500. An assignment of the lease is being finalised.
	1 Mill Court, Sloughannual rent 29,500. An assignment of the lease is expected shortly.
	Walsh Court, Bells Square, Sheffieldannual rent 21,216 per annum. The lease expires March 2006, early surrender being negotiated.
	348 High Street, Lincolnannual rent 18,500. The lease expires March 2006. The licencee pays the rent.
	41/43 Mill Street, Bedfordannual rent 21,600. The property is part sub-let at 5,000 per annum.
	3/5 New Street, Chelmsfordannual rent 21,070. An assignment of the lease is expected shortly.
	17/18 High Street, Stockton on Teesannual rent 10,500. The lease is being surrendered.
	Lancaster Buildings, Deansgate, Manchesterannual rent 36,150. The property is being marketed.

Departmental Estate

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid by her Department in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each region and (c) London in 200405.

Jane Kennedy: The Department and its executive agencies during 200405 paid 18,042,254 in total rent. This comprises regional totals of:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 North West 245,580 
			 North East 37,200 
			 West Midlands 70,000 
			 East Midlands 861 
			 Eastern 86,000 
			 South West 294,700 
			 South East 328,986 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 5,438,666 
		
	
	All properties are located in England. Rent of 11,540,261 was paid for our London properties.

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii)graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project.

Jane Kennedy: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by her Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has a catering contract with Quadrant for restaurant, hospitality and vending services. The overall value of contract for the year 200405 was 1.2 million. The catering contract covers the Department of Health's London Estate that covers three main sites for restaurant facilities and hospitality services. Hospitality services are extended to some of our minor sites. The contract is run at nil subsidy and is therefore at no direct cost to the Department.
	The Department spent 592,000 during 200405 on entertainment.

Departmental Guidance (Evidence/Documentary Access)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department giving evidence to the (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) National Assembly for Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document she gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to the (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons select committees.

Jane Kennedy: Requests for the attendance of Ministers or officials to give evidence to the devolved legislatures, and for the provision of information to the assemblies, will be considered on a case by case basis. This consideration will reflect: the principles set out in the Cabinet Office guidance Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees (July 2005); the policy outlined in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Devolution Guidance Note number 12 Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the devolved legislatures, and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The principles underlying the provision of information to House of Commons Select Committees are set out in Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees, particularly sections 4B and 4C.

Departmental Publications

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many publications were issued by her Department in each of the last five years; and what the production cost of each was.

Jane Kennedy: Between 1 October 2004 and 31 September 2005, the Department produced 697 publications. The cost of producing these, including design, typesetting and print services, totalled 6,781,780.
	For all other printed publications produced prior to 1 October 2004, the Department has no central record of this information and could not obtain this without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are employed by her Department in each region; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics, Table D which covers permanent staff numbers (full-time equivalent basis) in each Department and agency. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_service/statistics/civil_service_statistics/index.asp

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken by the Department to support staff with mental ill-health.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has a number of procedures already in place to support staff with mental ill health. These include a specific staff policy, 24-hour confidential counselling service and occupational health. In addition, we are currently looking at reviewing human resource policies and considering further interventions particularly around awareness sessions, and employee health and well-being initiatives.

Departmental Staff

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of staff in her Department are (a) directly employed by the Department and (b) agency and non-permanent staff.

Jane Kennedy: The most recent figures, as at 30 June 2005, were published on 6 October 2005. The data for this period is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Directly employed by the Department 2,317 97 
			 Agency and non-permanent staff 72 3 
			 Total 2,389  
		
	
	Note:
	Figures shown are full time equivalent.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives are being taken in her Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has several processes in place to support staff who are ill such as workplace assessments and occupational health. The Department is also about to introduce a new maximising attendance policy which takes a much more proactive approach to absence management. Muscular-skeletal disorders such as chronic back pain have been flagged up within this policy as something that requires early referral to occupational health.

Departmental Staff

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many departmental staff have been seconded to industry in each of the last seven years.

Jane Kennedy: Since 2002 there has been a total of five Department of Health staff seconded to industry. We are unable to provide details before this date.

Departmental Tendering Policy

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on including (a) ethical and (b) environmental factors in tenders for services.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has a strong commitment to the principles of sustainable development, and this is reflected in the new United Kingdom strategy for sustainable development.
	Through this policy, the Department and its agencies are committed to considering the environmental, social and economic impacts of its procurement activities. Where directly relevant to the subject matter of the tender, environmental and social issues are included. Environmental factors in contracts let by the Department are considered on a case by case basis relative to the subject matter of the contract, and the requirements of community law.
	The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PSA) works with the Department and other Government Departments to increase awareness of sustainable development within the national health service supply chain, and to ensure that wherever possible NHS PSA support the achievement of sustainable development objectives, and support the improvement of the nation's health and well being.

Departmental Websites

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure the Department's websites attain the W3C AAA standard of accessibility for people with visual and other disabilities; and if she will set a target date for this standard to be achieved by.

Jane Kennedy: The Department's policy is to follow the 'Guidelines for UK Government websites' and 'Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: Version 1' published by the e-Government Unit within the Cabinet Office. These guidelines currently require UK Government websites to meet W3C 'A' standard. In addition, certain guidelines from W3C 'AA' and 'AAA' standards are recommended as best practice. However, to date, neither these Guidelines, e-Accessibility communications from the European Union nor advice from the Royal National Institute of the Blind have suggested that United Kingdom Government websites should attain and maintain level 'AAA'.
	The Department is acutely aware that to be accessible a website must be as easy to use and understand for as many visitors as possible. Committed to the principle of accessibility, the Department completely redeveloped its website in 2004 to ensure it complies with the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3Cs) level A guidelines for accessibility and works with screen readers. This year, it has achieved 75 per cent. compliance with the 'AA' guidelines. The website also complies with the following guidelines from 'AAA' standard:
	ensuring that there is sufficient contrast between foreground and background colours (P3 checkpoint 2.2)
	the provision of a site map (P3 checkpoint 13.3)
	the provision of search facilities (P3 checkpoint 13.7)
	the speech-enablement of your website (P3 checkpoint 14.2)
	use of consistent presentation across all pages (P3 checkpoint 14.3).
	The Department is committed to ongoing improvements in the accessibility of its website, and will continue to work with its internet service providers to achieve compliance with emerging accessibility standards.

Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people with diabetes have been offered retinal screening to test for signs of diabetic retinopathy as part of a systematic retinal screening programme in the past 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 December 2005
	Latest performance data from local delivery plan monitoring shows that at September 2005 57.3 per cent. of people with diabetes had received screening for diabetic retinopathy over the past 12 months. National figures are not yet available on the numbers of patients offered screening. However, it is expected that at least 70 per cent. of people offered screening will receive it.
	200405 data from general practices participating in the quality outcomes framework of the new general medical services contract records 85 per cent. of people with diabetes as screened. These two sources produce different information because the two data collections have different purposes and definitions.

Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the National Screening Committee to issue its guidance on a national programme for the early identification of diabetes.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 December 2005
	The United Kingdom National Screening Committee considered screening for type II diabetes at its meeting on 29 November 2005 and I expect to receive its advice on the next steps shortly.

Dr. Ann David

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the result of the inquiry commissioned by the Basildon and Thurrock Hospital Trust under the HC909 procedure, into the conduct of Dr. Ann David; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 November 2005
	I have no plans to publish the results of the disciplinary investigation commissioned by the Basildon and Thurrock Hospital National Health Service Trust under HC(90)9 procedure, into the conduct of Dr. Ann David. The investigation and report is an internal matter for the trust as the employer of an individual. It is a matter for the trust whether it wishes to publish a summary of the findings of its investigations.

Elderly Care Costs

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will commission research to establish the cost of providing all care for the elderly free of charge.

Liam Byrne: In England, the Government have accepted each of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care except the recommendation to provide free personal care in all settings.
	Making personal care free for everyone carries a very substantial and increasing cost, but would not raise the standard or range of services available. The cost for 200506, estimated by the Department, is 1.7 billion.
	Providing free bed and board costs in care homes, estimated by the Department, is around 2.3 billion for England. This does not assume any reduction in state pensions or other social security benefits.
	An estimated overall total for free care in care homes and free personal care at home, is around 4 billion at current prices for the current year.

Foundation Trusts

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health standards foundation trusts are required to meet by the Healthcare Commission.

Jane Kennedy: The Health and Social Care (Community Care and Standards) Act 2003 provides a power for the Secretary of State to publish statements of standards in relation to the provision of health care by and for English national health service bodies, which includes NHS foundation trusts. The Secretary of State published the standards as 'Standards for Better Health' in July 2004. All English NHS bodies are required to take these standards into account in discharging the duty of quality placed on them in the 2003 Act.
	In addition, NHS foundation trusts are bound to comply with the standards under their terms of authorisation.
	The Healthcare Commission takes these standards into account when undertaking the annual assessment and rating of English NHS bodies, including NHS foundation trusts. The Commission publishes details of its assessment process on its website at: www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.

Freedom of Information Act

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests for information have been received by her Department since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force; how many requests have had their deadline extended beyond 20 working days to allow consideration of where the public interest lies; and how many requests have been refused on public interest grounds.

Jane Kennedy: The Department received 900 freedom of information (FOI) applications between the period 1 January and 30 September 2005. Of these, 31 had their deadline extended beyond 20 working days to allow consideration of the balance of public interest. There were 147 requests where the balance of public interest favoured withholding the information.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the third quarter was published on 15 December 2005 and can be found on the DCA's website at: www.foi.gov.uk/statsjul-sep05.htm and is available in the Library.

General Opthalmic Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the recently announced review of the General Ophthalmic Services to be completed.

Rosie Winterton: When we announced the review in August 2005, we indicated that we expected the review to report in early 2006. However, to take into account arguments put forward by the main representative bodies, we are extending the time scale to ensure full consideration of the issues. It is now likely that the review will report later in 2006. It will also ensure that the review is able to reflect the forthcoming White Paper on services outside hospital.

GM Food

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent international experience she has assessed in relation to the withdrawal of GM products for health reasons.

Caroline Flint: In the United Kingdom, genetically modified (GM) food and feed products may only be marketed if they have undergone a rigorous safety assessment and been granted an EU-wide authorisation. If new information comes to light concerning the safety of a GM product, there are a range of measures that can be taken to protect consumers at national and EU level. We are not aware of any withdrawal of GM products in other countries for health reasons that has implications for GM food or feed products that are authorised in the EU.

Health Act 1999

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people aged (a) 18 to 24, (b) 25 to 30, (c) 31 to 40 and (d) over 40 years have been prosecuted under the Health Act 1999 for wrongful claims for free prescriptions in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex, (iii) Hertfordshire and (iv)England in each year since 2000.

Jane Kennedy: Since August 2001, a penalty charge system has been in place in respect of those falsely claiming exemption to national health service pharmaceutical charges. Since its introduction, more than 160,000 penalty notices have been issued. The total amount recovered to date is over 2,950,000. These figures are national and are not broken down into the age categories and regions as requested. Penalties are sanctioned through the civil courts as criminal prosecution of offenders would not be a cost-effective way of dealing with such high volume but low-value frauds.
	The introduction of the penalty charge system has enabled the money recovered to be re-invested in providing better patient care within the NHS.

Health Bill

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials have had with the World Health Organisation about part I of the Health Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Since publication of the Health Bill on 27 October 2005 there have been no formal discussions with the World Health Organisation (WHO) of part I of the Bill at either ministerial level or official level.
	However, the content of the Bill is informed by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification of second-hand smoke as a human carcinogen in 2002. The United Kingdom has also, along with some 114 other countries, ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The WHO FCTC states:
	Recognising that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke cause death, disease and disability.

Healthcare Commission

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which subjects the Healthcare Commission has commissioned clinical audits; and when she expects each audit will be published.

Jane Kennedy: The Healthcare Commission's latest programme of clinical audits, is shown in the following table. Some of the Healthcare Commission's latest programmes have yet to start. For current clinical audits information is provided on the latest, and where appropriate, next expected publication.
	
		Healthcare Commission clinical auditsv
		
			  Last report Next report Type 
		
		
			 CancerBowel cancer (NBOCAP) June 2005 July 2006 Findings 
			 Head and neck cancer (DAHNO) n/a March 2006 Early findings 
			 Lung cancer (LUCADA) n/a March 2006 Early findings 
			 Oesophago-gastric (stomach) cancer n/a April 2007 Early findings 
			 Mastectomy and breast reconstruction n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Child and MaternityNeonatal intensive care n/a December 2006 Early findings 
			 Maternity care n/a March 2006 Scoping report(6) 
			 Emergency care, critically ill or injured child n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 EmergencyHead injury patients n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Severely injured patients n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 HeartAdult cardiac surgery October 2004  Public website 
			 Paediatric cardiac surgery and interventions n/a April 2006 Findings 
			 Cardiac interventions (e.g. opening up heart artery) October 2004  Not yet fixed 
			 Myocardial infarction (MINAP) (heart attack) June 2005 June 2006 Findings 
			 Rhythm management (pacing/implantable defibrillators) March 2003 December 2005 Findings 
			 Heart failure n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Cardiac ambulance services n/a  Not yet fixed 
			 Cardiac patients' pathway and outcomes n/a  Not yet fixed 
			 Long-term conditionsDiabetes September 2005 September 2006 Findings 
			 Renal services (kidney disease) n/a March 2006 Scoping report(6) 
			 Rheumatoid arthritis March 2005 April 2006 Findings 
			 Asthma n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Long-term neurological conditions n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Violence in mental healthMental health settings May 2005 April 2006 Findings 
			 Psychological therapies n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Eating disorders n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Older peopleContinence (NACC) November 2005 December 2006 Findings 
			 Stroke: hospital services March 2005 March 2007 Findings 
			 Carotid endarterectomy (UKCEA) (stroke prevention) n/a February 2006 Early findings 
			 Services for people who have fallen n/a March 2006 Findings 
			 Venous leg ulcers n/a March 2006 Findings 
			 Dignity and care in hospital and other settings n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Stroke: patients' pathway, focussing on primary care n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Patients with co-morbidities in primary care n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Dementia services and prescribing n/a n/a Yet to start 
			 Reproductive healthControl of heavy menstrual bleeding n/a n/a Yet to start 
		
	
	(6)Scoping reports set out the improvements in patient care that a full audit could achieve, and the scale and likely costs were a full audit to be commissioned.

Herceptin

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet the North Stoke Primary Care Trust to discuss extra funding for the NHS prescription of Herceptin in this financial year.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service is already benefiting from the increased investment in the NHS which between 2003 and 2008 will increase on average by 7.5 per cent. each year. It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to decide on how best to use these resources based on the needs of their local populations. Therefore it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State or a member of the ministerial team to meet this particular PCT.
	We have taken steps to ensure that breast cancer patients who could benefit from Herceptin can be identified and treated. On 5 October we announced that all breast cancer patients would be tested for suitability for treatment with Herceptin. The national cancer director is working with cancer networks to ensure that testing arrangements are in place so that once Herceptin is licensed for early breast cancer those patients who would benefit are quickly identified.
	On 3 November, we launched a new rapid process for assessing drugs and other treatments to sit alongside the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) global standard process. This new single technology appraisal (STA) will be used to produce faster guidance on life-saving drugs which have been licensed.
	Roche, the manufacturer of Herceptin, has announced that its application for a licence will be made to the European medicines agency for the evaluation of medical products in February 2006, with a decision anticipated by July 2006 at the earliest. The new STA will allow NICE to react as soon as possible after the drug is licensed.
	These steps mean that any breast cancer patient who might benefit from Herceptin should get the drug by next summer, after they have received their other treatments.

Herceptin

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make extra resources available for primary care trusts to fund the provision of Herceptin for women with early stage breast cancer.

Jane Kennedy: The cost of Herceptin will need to be met from the existing settlement agreed for the national health service.
	We understand that some trusts are already under financial pressures and may have to make difficult decisions in achieving this. However, we have greatly increased the amount of money going into the NHS and those trusts with deficits have financial recovery plans in place.
	Funding of the NHS has increased from 34.7 billion in 199798 to 69.7 billion in 200405. By 200708 spending on the NHS will have increased to 92 billion.

Home Deaths

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to primary care services in respect of people who die at home.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on supportive and palliative care, published in 2004, gives recommendations to improve the care provided to people with cancer, including responding to patients' wishes about where they are cared for, and die. The guidance endorses three tools: the gold standards framework, the Liverpool care pathway, and the preferred place of care, which are being rolled out nationally through the end of life care programme and are applicable to the care of people at the end of life, regardless of their condition.
	The end of life care programme has been given funding of 12 million over three years (200407), and provides training for staff in acute, community and care home settings so that all patients near the end of life have access to high quality palliative care and are able to choose where they receive care.

Hospital Discharge (Terminally Ill Patients)

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to primary care trusts on the discharge from hospital of people who are terminally ill.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The discharge of terminally ill patients from hospital is based on the clinical decision of the health service staff responsible for that patient's care. Decisions on discharge are informed by the recommendations in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on supportive and palliative care, published in 2004. The guidance endorses the use of three key tools: the gold standard framework, the Liverpool care pathway and the preferred place of care, which support clinicians and patients to plan how and where services are provided that best meet the wishes of the patient. The national roll-out of these tools is a key part of the end of life care programme, which is a three-year Government programme to provide patients with the choice to die at home.

Incentive Packages

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in her Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to her Department of each payment was in 200405.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not pay any supplements, bonuses, or incentive packages on the basis of geographic location, as part of its existing reward strategy.

Influenza Vaccine

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate her Department has made of the number of people in Tamworth constituency in at-risk groups who have been unable to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccination.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Influenza Vaccine

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has collated on whether general practitioners have been vaccinating people for influenza as a priority who are outside the at-risk groups.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	As in previous years, data is being collected on the number of people in the at risk groups who have been vaccinated, and the full data will not be available until the new year. Sufficient vaccine was however ordered to vaccinate all those in the at risk groups.

Influenza Vaccine

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the British Medical Association on whether its members have beenprescribing influenza vaccinations to the 'worried well'.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The Secretary of State for Health, special advisers and officials have had several conversations with representatives of the British Medical Association about seasonal flu vaccination. We are working together to ensure that all those in the at risk groups who want to be vaccinated, will be.

Influenza Vaccine

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doses of influenza vaccine her Department has (a) ordered, (b) taken delivery of and (c) supplied to general practitioners in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and on what dates.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	General practitioners (GPs) purchase their own supply of vaccine from any of a range of suppliers, based on the number of eligible patients on the practice register. GPs organise and carry out flu clinics between September and January.
	The Department ordered 1.2 million doses of influenza vaccine for its contingency stockpile in the last 12 months, 400,000 doses of which had been received by 25 November. Between 25 November 2004 and mid-December 2004, 1,598 doses had been delivered to GPs, between 8 November 2005 and 25 November 2005, 93,898 doses had been delivered to GPs.

Influenza Vaccine

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information (a) is routinely collected as part of the seasonal influenza vaccination programme and (b) was collected as part of this year's special audit; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the data her Department has collected in each of the last three years.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Since 2000, the Department has collected data from each primary care trust (PCT) on the number of over 65s, and since 2004 other younger, at risk groups, who receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Details of this year's survey of vaccine uptake can be found in the guide for PCTs available at http://194.200.241.125/pctguides/.
	The data on 200304 vaccine uptake is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assestRoot/04/09/95/77/04/099577.pdf.
	Data on 200405 vaccine uptake is also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assestRoot/04/ll/96/50/04119650.pdf. They are also available in the Library.
	This year's special audit asked general practitioners:
	whether they had sufficient flu vaccine to complete their influenza vaccination programme;
	if they needed more flu vaccine, how many doses they would require to complete their influenza vaccination programme; and
	if they had already completed their influenza vaccination programme, did they have surplus flu vaccine available that could be re-distributed to other practices within their area or PCT. And, if so, how many.

Influenza Vaccine

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral statement of 22 November 2005, Official Report, columns 137182, on seasonal influenza vaccine supplies, whether the number of doses of vaccine intended to be supplied was increased from 13.4 million when carers were added to the recommended groups for vaccination; and what action her Department took when informed in October by a manufacturer that it had run out of supplies of vaccine.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Details of the current recommendations regarding carers receiving flu immunisation was given to all general practitioners (GPs) in the chief medical officer's communication dated 9 August 2004 with reference to the Green Book, and 25 July 2005.
	Discussions with manufacturers at the start of the year to secure flu vaccine were on the basis of an additional 2.3 million doses than was used in the previous year for further expansion of coverage and incorporation of new risk groups and carers.
	Some manufacturers delayed delivery of their flu vaccine due to problems with the manufacturing process. We wrote to all GPs on 3 November with details of how to order vaccine purchased as part of our contingency measures and by the 23 December, we will have distributed 400,000 doses of vaccine from this stock.

Influenza Vaccine

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral statement of 22 November 2005, Official Report, columns 137182, on seasonal influenza vaccine supplies, when her Department ascertained the new figures on uptake of vaccine amongst risk groups; and what estimate she has made of the number of people who qualify for immunisation who will not be immunised by the end of this immunisation season.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The figures on influenza vaccine uptake were received by the Department on 14 November. It is impossible to estimate how many people who qualify for immunisation but will not be immunised this season, because not all of those who fall within the risk groups seek vaccination. Based on previous uptake data there is enough vaccine in the national health service as a whole to vaccinate everyone in the at risk groups that is expected to want flu vaccination.

Influenza Vaccine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people in (a) each London borough and (b) England who have requested an influenza vaccination this winter but have not yet received one.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Jane Kennedy: The current arrangements for regular national and regional media monitoring started in October 2004.
	Costs since then have been:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200405 50,040 
			 200506 57,334 
		
	
	Before October 2004, media evaluation was undertaken in a more ad-hoc way, often combined with other research. These costs can not be extracted from the previous finance system without a great deal of work and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Media Monitoring

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned research into the presence and reporting in the (i) broadcast and (ii) print media of the hon. Member for Northavon since 5 May.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has not undertaken nor commissioned research specifically into the presence and reporting in either broadcast or print media, of the hon. Member for Northavon.

Medical Instruments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent by each primary care trust (PCT) on medical instruments in each year since 1998; and what the projected spend in each PCT is in (a) 2006, (b) 2007 and (c) 2008.

Jane Kennedy: Expenditure by primary care trusts (PCTs) has been placed in the Library.
	Information relating to projected expenditure is not available.

Medicines

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the provision of safe and effective medicines for the NHS at reasonable prices.

Jane Kennedy: The prices of branded prescription medicines and the profits that companies are allowed to make on their sales to the national health service (NHS) are controlled by the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (PPRS). It aims to achieve a balance between reasonable prices for the NHS and a fair return for the industry to enable it to develop and market new and improved medicines. The 2005 PPRS included a price reduction of 7 percent., which will deliver expenditure savings of some 2 billion over the next five years for the NHS in England.
	New arrangements to set the reimbursement of generic medicines were introduced from 1 April 2004. These reflect the underlying market price of these medicines and will reduce the cost of the medicines by 300 million per annum. This money is being used to fund the new pharmacy contractual framework. The new framework gives primary care trusts the opportunity to work with local pharmacists to develop a range of high quality community pharmacy services. This will make them an integral part of local primary care provision.

Mental Capacity Advocate Service

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the result of the consultation was on the proposed independent mental capacity advocate service; and what pilot projects are planned ahead of its introduction.

Rosie Winterton: We are in the process of analysing the responses to the consultation on the independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) service which ended on 30 September. We received 174 written responses to the consultation. In addition, some 450 people attended regional road shows to put forward their views on the consultation in a more informal way.
	We want to look at the detail of the arguments made in the consultation process to gauge public opinion before deciding how to proceed, in particular about how the regulation making powers on the IMCA should be used and on the operation and implementation of the service. The aim will be to keep statutory regulation to the minimum. The Government will publish the results of the consultation.
	As part of the development work for the IMCA service we are setting up some IMCA pilots to help identify the practical issues involved in implementing it.
	The objective of the Independent Mental Capacity Act (IMCA) pilots is to test how this new service will work, in advance of it becoming a national requirement in April 2007. The pilots will test different ways of setting up this servicefor example with full-time IMCA advocates and with sessional advocates. They will test systems for recording, referral and for monitoring. The outcome will be good practice guidance which will be useful both for the commissioners of this service when it becomes a national requirement and also for the future IMCA advocacy providers, many of whom may be small and will benefit from access to information about good practice in other advocacy services.
	The budget for the pilots is 500,000. The pilots will take place in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Croydon, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Merseyside, Newcastle, and Southwark. The pilots will be evaluated by an externalresearcher who will work with the advocacy organisations to develop protocols such as monitoring systems and reflective diaries.

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are on the waiting list of the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust (PCT) for allocation to an NHS dentist; and how many patients of Morecambe Bay PCT are being treated in other PCT areas.

Rosie Winterton: The information relating to the number of patients on the waiting list of Morecambe Bay primary care trust for allocation to a national health service dentist is not held centrally.
	The number of patients living in the Morecambe Bay PCT area registered with a dentist outside the PCT area is 4,521.
	Note:
	These areas have been defined using the Office of National Statistics all field postcodes Directory May 2005.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

MRSA

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in each strategic health authority contracted MRSA in each year since 1995.

Jane Kennedy: Information on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections by strategic health authority is not available in the format requested.

NHS Complaints

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether NHS complaints procedures apply to NHS patients treated in private (a) diagnostic and treatment centres and (b) cataract operation units;
	(2)  whether an NHS patient seeking compensation following mistreatment in a private (a) diagnostic and treatment centre and (b) cataract operation unit can sue the NHS.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 5 December 2005
	National health service patients who are referred for treatment in independent sector treatment centres have the same right to complain as patients who are treated by NHS providers. The responsibility for handling complaints from NHS patients rests with the appropriate NHS primary care trust or acute trust that referred the patient. Such complaints are handled through the NHS complaints process. In addition, independent sector treatment centre providers that have NHS patients referred to them for treatment are also required to have their own patient complaints procedures in place.
	Healthcare professionals treating referred NHS patients are covered by NHS Indemnity for any negligent act or omission.

NHS Computers

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether she plans to replace the current stock of NHS computer (a) keyboards, (b) mice and (c) keyboard readers with washable versions;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of (a) the role of (i) computer mice, (ii) keyboards and (iii) keyboard readers in the spread of MRSA in hospitals and (b) the contribution which could be made by washable versions of each to its prevention;
	(3)  what guidance is given to NHS staff on the sterilisation of computer (a) keyboards, (b) mice and (c) keyboard readers.

Jane Kennedy: The supply of computer equipment is a local responsibility.
	Computer keyboards and other equipment can become contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria capable of causing infections and regular cleaning is recommended by infection control experts. Regular cleaning will reduce the risk of infection from these sources, but as they may become contaminated between cleaning episodes it is essential that staff clean their hands before touching patients. This is why we have the national cleanyourhands campaign.

NHS Finance

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospital trusts and primary care trusts serving South West Bedfordshire constituency are forecasting a significant financial deficit at the 200506 year end; and if she will set out the forecast deficit in each case.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 December 2005
	The primary care trusts (PCTs) and national health service trusts covered by South West Bedfordshire constituency that are forecasting a deficit at Month 6 200506 are set out in the table:
	
		
			  Organisation name 200506 Month 6 forecast under(over) spend 000 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT 20,000 
			 Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust 12,056

NHS Staff (Assaults)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department collects concerning assaults on NHS workers; and what recent changes her Department has made to data collected regarding violence towards staff.

Jane Kennedy: In November 2003, the national health service introduced a comprehensive range of measures to tackle violence against NHS staff. This included two legally based definitions for the reporting of physical and non-physical assaults to ensure that appropriate action is taken following such incidents.
	The NHS security management service currently collects information relating to incidents of physical assaults against NHS staff, through its national reporting system, which became fully operational from April 2004.

NHS Staff (Assaults)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information the NHS Security Management Service collects concerning the sentences handed down as a result of prosecutions involving physical assaults on staff.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not currently collated centrally.

NHS Treatment (Eligibility)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rules are on eligibility for NHS treatment for (a) students from EU countries and (b) other foreign students, broken down by (i) pre-16 years, (ii) 16 to 19 years and (iii) adult; and whether in each case charges are applicable.

Jane Kennedy: The rules on eligibility for free national health service hospital treatment were published in 'Implementing the Overseas Visitors Hospital Charging Regulations: Guidance for NHS Trust Hospitals in England' in April 2004. This document provides guidance on how to interpret the NHS (charges to overseas visitors) regulations 1989, as amended. It is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/60/24/04106024.pdf.
	It is these regulations which govern who is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.

Nurses

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that nurses are issued with more than three uniforms.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not stipulate the number of uniforms that should be issued to nursing staff. It is for national health service trust chief executives to ensure that nurses have enough suitable clothing and equipment to carry out their work effectively.
	The Department is currently undertaking a review of current uniform policy is under way which will clarify the expectations of NHS organisations and staff in terms of wearing, changing and laundering uniforms.

Nurses

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that nursing staff uniforms can be laundered at a temperature high enough to destroy (a) MRSA and (b) other viruses.

Jane Kennedy: Health Service Guidance 95(18) sets out the arrangements for the handling and laundering of linen and states the importance of securing the disinfection of used and infected linen, including uniforms. The guidance recommends that a wash at 65 degrees Celsius ( 0 C) for not less than 10 minutes, or at 71 0 C for not less than three minutes, is more than adequate for uniforms. Most uniforms can be safely processed at this temperature; indeed white garments manufactured to a correct specification can safely be processed at 85 0 C provided a cool down facility is incorporated within the washing process.
	In relation to washing uniforms at home, the advice from microbiologists is that a wash at a domestic clothes washer's temperature of 60 0 C, followed by a rinse cycle, is more than adequate. The main point is the enormous dilution factor of the wash rather than the actual killing of the bacteria. The use of detergent will dislodge soil containing bacteria.
	Health Service Guidance 95(18) is currently under review which will clarify the expectations of NHS organisations in terms of laundering uniforms. This work is being supported by scientific research, and will include recommendations on temperatures for washing uniforms and other linen.

Obesity

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) if she will list the organisations which she has invited to comment upon the draft Obesity Care Pathway; by when comments have been invited from those selected organisations; whether it is her intention that this document should reflect a consensus on the most effective treatment options; and when she intends openly to consult with the (a) wider scientific community, (b) commercial weight loss sector and (c) patient and practitioner organisations about the details of the draft pathway;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the consultation process being followed in relation to the development of the Obesity Care Pathway with the principles set out in (a) the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation and (b) the Code of Good Practice in Consultations and Policy Appraisal, supporting the Compact on Government's Relations with the Voluntary and Community Sector; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 26 October 2005
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to prepare definitive guidance on the prevention, identification, management and treatment of obesity. This is expected to be published in February 2007, after full consultation. The Department's interim Obesity Care Pathway is intended for use by frontline health professionals in primary care to help manage patients who are overweight and/or obese. As part of the process of developing the draft Obesity Care Pathway, early drafts were shared with some interested stakeholders between September and November, to ascertain their views on how the care pathway might be implemented.
	A consultation on the content is currently under way on a more advanced draft of the Obesity Care Pathway and related documents, and a draft weight loss guide. Consultees have been asked to respond by 3 January 2006.
	List of selected organisations/potential users invited to comment
	Diabetes UK
	Department for Education and Skills
	Royal College of Physicians
	British Dietetics Association
	Blackwater Valley  Hart PCT
	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	Royal College of Nursing
	Faculty of Public Health
	National Obesity Forum
	Strategic Health Authorities
	National Heart Forum
	Regional Directors of Public HealthGovernment Office Regions
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health
	Sport England
	Central Council for Physical Recreation
	Fitness Industry Association
	British Hypertension Society
	The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust
	Food Standards Agency
	Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Associations
	The Nutrition Society
	Infant and Dietetic Foods Association
	Herbalife
	Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs
	Slimming World
	Weightwatchers
	Cambridge Health Plan
	Abbot Laboratories
	White House Consultancy
	Faculty of Medicine
	Chiltern and South Bucks PCT
	British Retail Consortium
	Move4Health
	St. Thomas' Hospital
	University College London
	Barts Hospital
	Essex Rivers Health Authority
	MRC Resource Centre for Human Nutrition Research
	Unilever Slimfast
	Health Food Manufacturers' Association
	United Kingdom Very Low Calorie Diet Industry Group
	UK Dieticians in Obesity Management

Obesity

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rates of (a) overweight and (b) obesity have been among (i) children under 11 years, (ii) children aged between 11 and 18 years and (iii) adults in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The available information is shown in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Rates for overweight and obesity for children aged 2 to 101Trends in overweight and obesity prevalence, by survey year (19952003) and sex Aged 2 to 10 with valid BMI -- Percentage
		
			  Survey year 
			 BMI status 1995 1996 1997 1998 19992000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Males 
			 Obese 9.6 11 11.1 10 14.3 13.5 15.2 14.9 
			 Overweight including obese 22.5 24.8 24.3 22.6 28.1 29.1 28.1 29.6 
			  
			 Females 
			 Obese 10.3 10.2 10.7 9.8 12.4 12.7 15.8 12.5 
			 Overweight including obese 22.9 21.2 22.6 20.7 25 26.7 28.9 25.9 
			  
			 Bases (weighted) 
			 Males 1,261 1,418 2,007 1,469 1,204 1,035 2,364 876 
			 Females 1,266 1,365 2,082 1,365 1,152 1,094 2,290 897 
			  
			 Bases (unweighted) 
			 Males 1,113 1,234 2,159 1,307 1,145 913 2,036 864 
			 Females 1,114 1,178 2,222 1,217 1,072 980 1,948 869 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures based on UK National BMI percentile classification.
	Source:
	Obesity among children under 11
	Department of Health, Health and Social Care Information Centre
	Produced by: National Centre for Social Research, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Free and University College Medical School.
	Prepared for the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
	
		Table 2: Rates for overweight and obesity for children aged 1115Overweight and obesity prevalence trends from 1995 to 2003 (National BMI percentiles classification), by age and sex.Aged 1115 with a valid BMI measurement -- Percentage
		
			 BMI status 1995 1996 1997 1998 19992000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Males aged 1115 
			 Overweight 13.6 15.2 12.4 14.2 11.8 15.2 14 13 
			 Obese 12.3 13.1 15.2 15.3 18.1 16.8 19.1 19 
			 Overweight including obese 25.9 28.4 27.6 29.5 29.8 32 33.1 32 
			 Bases (weighted) 
			 Male 1115 658 714 1056 645 650 579 1381 533 
			 Bases (unweighted) 
			 Male 1115 584 640 1116 569 576 577 1214 553 
			  
			 Females Aged 1115 
			 Overweight 13.9 13.3 14.7 14.7 13.7 18.1 14.9 14 
			 Obese 14.4 15 15.5 17.3 16.3 17.4 18.7 19 
			 Overweight including obese 28.3 28.3 30.2 32.0 29.9 35.6 33.7 34 
			  
			 Bases (weighted) 
			 Females 1115) 635 649 987 656 640 551 1346 547 
			 Bases (unweighted) 
			 Females 1115) 558 580 1,066 575 563 552 1,192 547 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures based on UK National BMI percentile classification.
	Source:
	Health Survey for England 2002  2003
	
		Table 3. Rates of overweight and obesity for adultsAdults aged 16 and over -- Percentage
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 (unweighted) 2003 (weighted) 
		
		
			 Men 
			 BMI over 25 (overweight, including obese) 62.2 62.8 62.5 65.5 67.7 65.5 67.4 65.4 
			 BMI over 30 (obese) 17 17.3 18.7 21 21 22.1 22.9 22.2 
			 BMI over 40 (morbidly obese) 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.8 1 1 
			 Mean BMI 26.5 26.5 26.5 26.8 27 26.9 27.1 26.9 
			 Standard error of the mean 0.07 0.05 0.07 0.08 0.05 0.08 0.06 0.06 
			  
			 Women 
			 BMI over 25 (overweight, including obese) 52.5 53.3 53.9 55.1 56.4 56.5 56.8 55.5 
			 BMI over 30 (obese) 19.7 21.2 21.1 21.4 23.5 22.8 23.4 2.3 
			 BMI over 40 (morbidly obese) 2.3 1.9 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.9 2.9 
			 Mean BMI 26.2 26.4 26.4 26.6 26.7 26.7 26.8 26.7 
			 Standard error of the mean 0.08 0.06 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.09 0.07 0.07 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The Health Survey for England classifies adults as those aged 16 and over.
	2.Weighted data provide the best estimate for 2003. Unweighted data for 2003 are provided for consistency with previous years which were also unweighted.
	Source:
	Health Survey for England 2003

Obesity

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 September 2005, Official Report, columns 27422743W, on obesity, when the obesity programme board was set up; who the members of the board are; on what dates the board has met; what was discussed during those meetings; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The obesity programme board was set up on 22 July 2005. The members of the board are:
	Chair, Head of Programme Delivery, Department of Health
	Obesity Public Service Agreement Programme Manager, Department of Health/Department for Culture, Media and Sport /Department for Education and Skills
	Director of Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	Director of Strategy, Every Child Matters, Department for Education and Skills
	Director Public Services, HM Treasury
	Director Food Industry and Crops, Department for Environment, Food and Environmental Affairs
	Director of Neighbourhood Renewal Operations, Office of Deputy Prime Minister
	Regional Director of Public Health, E of England. Regional Director of Public Health
	Director Consumer Choice and Dietary Health, Food Standards Agency
	Director for General Roads Regional and Local Transport Group, Department for Transport.
	The first board meeting took place on 27 September. Meetings are scheduled quarterly.
	At its first meeting, the obesity programme board discussed:
	Terms of reference, governance and membership;
	Evidence and analysis on obesity;
	Delivery plan for the obesity public service agreement;
	National audit office/healthcare commission/audit commission draft report and
	Progress on projects within the obesity programme.

Obesity

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect of obesity on the number of patients who receive treatment for each of the conditions which feature as a clinical domain in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Caroline Flint: To date no specific research has been commissioned and evaluated by the Department on the effect of obesity on the number of patients who receive treatment for each of the conditions which feature as a clinical domain in the current quality and outcomes framework. However, the Department has evaluated a range of research on the effect of obesity on disease conditions in adults, including summary research evidence reported by the National Audit Office, the World Health Organisation, and the Health Committee, as well as 2003 Health Survey for England.

Obesity

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis the original consultees on the draft obesity care pathway were chosen; who those consultees were; and which additional organisations have subsequently been consulted.

Caroline Flint: A consultation is currently under way on the obesity care pathway and related documents, including the draft weight loss guide. Consultees have been asked to respond by 3 January 2006 and a list of consultees is shown in the following list.
	As part of the process of developing the draft obesity care pathway, it was shared with some stakeholders earlier in development on 28 September, and additional stakeholders on 15 November. Those invited to comment at this early stage are as follows.
	Organisations invited to comment through formal consultation on 2 December
	Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health
	Royal College of Physicians
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	National Obesity Forum
	Royal College of Nursing
	Community Practitioners' Health Visitors Association
	British Dietetics Association
	The Nutrition Society
	Infant and Dietetic Foods Association
	Herbalife
	Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs
	Slimming World
	Weightwatchers
	Cambridge Health Plan
	Abbott Laboratories
	Whitehouse Consultancy
	The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust
	Faculty of Public Health
	Faculty of Medicine
	British Retail Consortium
	British Hypertension Society
	Central Council for Physical Activity
	Fitness Industry Association
	British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity
	National Heart Forum
	Move4Health
	Food Standards Agency
	Department of Culture, Media and Sport
	Department Education and Skills
	Sport England
	National Director for Cancer
	Directors of Public Health, strategic health authorities
	Regional Directors of Public Health
	National Clinical Director for Diabetes
	Diabetes UK
	National Clinical Director for Primary Care
	National Director for Heart Disease
	Health Food Manufacturers' Association
	Slim Fast Medical and Public Affairs
	MRC Human Nutrition Research
	Selected organisations/potential users invited to comment on the early draft of the Obesity Care Pathway on 28 September and 15 November
	On 28 September:
	Diabetes UK
	Department for Education and Skills
	Royal College of Physicians
	British Dietetics Association
	Blackwater Valley and Hart Primary Care Trust
	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	Royal College of Nursing
	Faculty of Public Health
	National Obesity Forum
	Strategic health authorities
	National Heart Forum
	Regional Directors of Public HealthGovernment Office Regions
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health
	Sport England
	Central Council for Physical Recreation
	Fitness Industry Association
	British Hypertension Society
	The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust
	Food Standards Agency
	Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Associations
	On 15 November:
	Infant and Dietetic Foods Association (IDFA)
	Herbalife
	Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs
	Slimming World
	WeightWatchers
	Cambridge Health Plan

Ostomy Products

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to restrict the supply of ostomy products and related care services.

Liam Byrne: We have no plans to restrict the supply of ostomy products and related care services.

Ostomy, Incontinence and Wound Care

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the suppliers to the NHS of (a) ostomy, (b) incontinence and (c) wound care products.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Parliamentary Questions

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to questions (a) 26127 and (b) 26193 tabled on 3 November by the hon. Member for Broxbourne.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the repliesI gave on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2269W, and on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 17991800W.

Patient Forums

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance her Department issues to patient and public involvement forums on working with local authority overview and scrutiny committees.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 14 December 2005
	In June 2005, the Centre for Public Scrutiny published Health overview and scrutiny committees and patient and public involvement forums: working togethera practical guide in response to a request from the Department.
	A copy of this guide has been placed in the Library.

Patient Forums

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patient forum members participated in the MORI poll on patient and public involvement in health commissioned by her Department and active between 10 and 24 October.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 December 2005
	307 patients' forum members participated in the Market and Opinion Research International poll on patient and public involvement in health. This was 35 per cent. of the total response.

Primary Care Trusts

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to change the role and structure of primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: As set out in Commissioning a Patient Led NHS, primary care trusts (PCTs) will be required to strengthen their commissioning function. They will need to ensure access and choice to a range of high quality health services and to ensure that the Government's commitments to health, reducing health inequalities and health services are delivered for local people. They will also be required to manage contracts on behalf of their practices and public, engage with local people and other local service providers to ensure patients' views are properly heard, and to be responsible for emergency planning.
	The policy, in relation to service-provision, is that this will be a matter for PCTs to determine locally. Any move away from direct provision of services will be a decision for the local national health service within the framework set out in the forthcoming White Paper and after local consultation, including staff.

Primary Care Trusts

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of setting up primary care trusts in (a) England and (b) Durham under the Health Act 1999.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not hold information on the costs of setting up primary care trusts under the Health Act 1999.

Primary Care Trusts

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each primary care trust with a budget deficit, in order of the size of deficit, indicating in each case the (a) unweighted budget allocation per person to the trust and (b) primary parliamentary constituency served by the trust.

Liam Byrne: The table lists primary care trusts (PCTs) with deficits in 200405 in descending order of deficit size, showing their 200405 deficit, their 200405 allocation per unweighted head of population and the parliamentary constituency where the majority of their population is resident. PCT allocations increased by 4.6 billion in 200506 to 9.3 percent. extra for the two years, 200607 and 200708, PCTs have been allocated a further 11.5 billion, a further 19.5 percent. increase.
	
		
			 PCT Primary parliamentary constituency 200405 allocation per head () 200405 under/(over) spend against revenue resource limits 000 
		
		
			 Kensington and Chelsea Kensington and Chelsea 1,148 -17,976 
			 Bedfordshire Heartlands South West Bedfordshire 793 -14,536 
			 Hillingdon Hayes and Harlington 1,000 -13,470 
			 Suffolk West West Suffolk 813 -12,510 
			 Kennet and North Wiltshire North Wiltshire 825 -10,159 
			 Ipswich Ipswich 960 -10,119 
			 New Forest New Forest East 935 -8,592 
			 Wandsworth Tooting 1,125 -8,237 
			 Cambridge City Cambridge 852 -7,621 
			 Southern Norfolk South Norfolk 829 -7,152 
			 Chelmsford West Chelmsford 852 -7,144 
			 North Stoke Stoke-on-Trent North 1,140 -6,810 
			 Fareham and Gosport Fareham 863 -6,757 
			 North and East Cornwall South East Cornwall 926 -6,668 
			 Selby and York City of York 863 -6,598 
			 Suffolk Coastal Suffolk Coastal 899 -6,174 
			 Hounslow Brentford and Isleworth 1,085 -6,171 
			 Yorkshire Wolds and Coast East Yorkshire 934 -6,116 
			 Luton Luton North 928 -6,038 
			 Guildford and Waverley Guildford 899 -5,887 
			 West of Cornwall St. Ives 1,026 -5,669 
			 North Norfolk North Norfolk 962 -5,294 
			 Central Cornwall Truro and St. Austell 933 -5,294 
			 North Devon North Devon 946 -5,263 
			 North Somerset Weston-Super-Mare 874 -5,202 
			 East Hampshire Havant 963 -5,199 
			 South West Oxfordshire Wantage 797 -5,172 
			 Vale of Aylesbury Aylesbury 807 -4,916 
			 Hertsmere Hertsmere 960 -4,897 
			 Milton Keynes Milton Keynes South West 821 -4,860 
			 Dacorum Hemel Hempstead 873 -4,840 
			 Cotswold and Vale Stroud 911 -4,809 
			 East Lincolnshire Louth and Horncastle 949 -4,483 
			 Broadland Norwich North 851 -4,444 
			 Cherwell Vale Banbury 805 -4,404 
			 North Hertfordshire and Stevenage Stevenage 903 -3,860 
			 Central Suffolk South Suffolk 811 -3,837 
			 South Western Staffordshire Stafford 844 -3,750 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands Staffordshire Moorlands 974 -3,725 
			 Maidstone Weald Maidstone and The Weald 835 -3,714 
			 Havering Hornchurch 998 -3,258 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead Braintree 798 -3,141 
			 West Gloucestershire Gloucester 938 -3,110 
			 West Wiltshire Westbury 824 -2,803 
			 Bexley Old Bexley and Sidcup 957 -2,749 
			 Blackwater Valley and Hart Aldershot 779 -2,676 
			 South Cambridgeshire South Cambridgeshire 798 -2,583 
			 East Elmbridqe and Mid Surrey Epsom and Ewell 919 -2,563 
			 Waltham Forest Walthamstow 1,096 -2,538 
			 South and East Dorset Christchurch 972 -2,424 
			 Canterbury and Coastal Canterbury 967 -2,276 
			 Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth Tamworth 863 -2,111 
			 Wyre Forest Wyre Forest 888 -1,968 
			 North East Oxfordshire Banbury 752 -1,938 
			 Watford and Three Rivers Watford 970 -1,928 
			 Kingston Kingston and Surbiton 943 -1,853 
			 Sussex Downs and Weald Surrey Heath 879 -1,819 
			 South Stoke Stoke-on-Trent South 1,049 -1,719 
			 South Wiltshire Salisbury 891 -1,535 
			 Waveney Waveney 993 -1,533 
			 St Albans and Harpenden St. Albans 883 -1,526 
			 Huntingdonshire Huntingdon 781 -1,516 
			 Chiltern and South Bucks Chesham and Amersham 819 -1,494 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford Maldon and East Chelmsford 773 -1,489 
			 West Norfolk North West Norfolk 935 -1,482 
			 Colchester Colchester 830 -1,470 
			 North Birmingham Sutton Coldfield 932 -1,339 
			 Eastleigh and Test Valley South Eastleigh 798 -1,283 
			 Cannock Chase Cannock Chase 890 -1,235 
			 Charnwood and North West Leicestershire Loughborough 867 -1,200 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford Brentwood and Ongar 875 -1,123 
			 Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Dartford 950 -1,086 
			 Harrow Harrow East 993 -969 
			 South Leicestershire Blaby 813 -966 
			 Eastbourne Downs Eastbourne 1,142 -964 
			 Leicester City West Leicester West 1,002 -957 
			 North Hampshire Basingstoke 855 -890 
			 Mid-Hampshire Winchester 841 -826 
			 Thurrock Thurrock 873 -755 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme Newcastle-under-Lyme 991 -597 
			 Cheshire West City of Chester 941 -548 
			 Swale Sittingbourne and Sheppey 893 -449 
			 South East Hertfordshire Broxbourne 803 -446 
			 Wycombe Wycombe 858 -429 
			 Isle of Wight Isle of Wight 1,046 -361 
			 Medway Gillingham 857 -196 
			 Oldbury and Smethwick Warley 1,096 -179 
			 Welwyn Hatfield Welwyn Hatfield 930 -128 
			 Newbury and Community Newbury 802 -114 
			 Norwich Norwich South 1,004 -108

Primary Care Trusts

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Essex primary care trusts will have their final funding for the current financial year reduced against initial allocation; and where reallocated funding will be spent.

Rosie Winterton: The following Essex primary care trusts will have their 200506 initial allocations reduced by the amounts indicated:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust 3.148 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care  Trust (PCT) 1.492 
			 Thurrock PCT 0.227 
			 Chelmsford PCT 7.137 
		
	
	The reductions are necessary to recover overspends which occurred in these organisations in the 200405 financial year. This funding will be returned to those national health service organisations delivering under spends in 200405.

Pro-choice

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the letter she sent to the pro-choice meeting chaired by Baroness Gould on 26 October represents Government policy; if she will place a copy of the letter in the Library; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions she had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) officials in her Department before sending her letter to the pro-choice meeting chaired by Baroness Gould on 26 October; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  for what reasons she sent a letter to the pro-choice meeting chaired by Baroness Gould on 26 October; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The letter was sent in response to an invitation to attend the abortion rights public meeting Defend the limitDefend a woman's right to choose, held at the House of Lords on 26 October 2005. The letter, which was sent by a departmental official on 14 October 2005, stated
	Unfortunately, due to pressure on her diary the Secretary of State is unable to attend. She has asked me to pass on her apologies.

Psychiatry (Waiting Times)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was to see a psychiatrist in Coventry South in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the estimated average waiting time from general practitioner writtenreferral to first outpatient appointment with a consultant psychiatrist within Coventry primary care trust (PCT) between September 2004 to September 2005 (provider based).
	
		
			  Median wait (weeks) 
		
		
			 September 2004 5.9 
			 December 2004 4.5 
			 March 2005 6.0 
			 June 2005 5.4 
			 September 2005 6.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Due to small numbers, the calculation of the median wait is prone to fluctuation at PCT and strategic health authority level. Care should be taken when interpreting these figures.
	2.Waiting times apply to consultant-led appointments only. Services in many areas are now run by multi-disciplinary teams.
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08

Public Appointments Annual Report

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish an up to date edition of the Public Appointments annual report.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State has delegated the majority of her appointments functions to the National Health Service Appointments Commission. The commission intends to make information about the public appointments it makes available on its website www.appointments.org.uk in the early spring next year.

Retinopathy Programmes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure the delivery of independent and external quality assurance of local retinopathy programmes.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 December 2005
	Quality assurance is an integral part of all screening programmes. Quality assurance standards have been developed and piloted by the UK National Screening Committee's national screening programme for sight threatening retinopathy. A full list of the quality assurance standards can be found on the National Screening Programme's website at: www.nscretinopathy.org.uk. Screening programme managers are responsible for ensuring that programmes meet overall quality requirements. Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring action is taken on quality assurance recommendations.

RU-486

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment her Department has made of the safety of the RU-486 abortion drug; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: As with all marketed medicines, the safety of mifepristone, an antiprogestogenic steroid that is used for the medical termination of intra-uterine pregnancy, is continuously monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
	Mifepristone was first authorised in the United Kingdom as a prescription only medicine for use under specialist care in July 1991. This followed advice from the then Committee on Safety of Medicines. Since 1991, the safety of mifepristone has been monitored through review of reports of suspected adverse drug reactions and through periodic safety reports submitted by the manufacturer. Following new advice from the US PDA, where this product is used in combination with another medicine that is not licensed for this purpose in the UK, serious adverse reactions, including cases of serious bacterial infection, associated with mifepristone have been reviewed. The regulatory authorities within Europe, including the UK, did not identify any new safety issues as a consequence of this review.
	As with all marketed medicines, the MHRA will continue to monitor the safety of Mifegyne and will take any action to ensure patient safety is maintained.

Rural Pharmacies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to assist and secure the future of rural pharmacies.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 October 2005, Official Report, column18889W.

Secondments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on secondment from other organisations to her Department; and which organisations they have been seconded from in each case.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently 49 staff on secondment or loan into the Department.
	The Department's human resource system does not show where a person has been seconded to or from.

Sick Leave

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of her Department's employees who are within one year of the official retirement age are on extended sick leave.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently two departmental employees, who are within one year of the official retirement age, on extended sick leave.

Situation Reports

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many situation reports have been delivered to her Department from local NHS bodies in each of the last five years; what the frequency of such reports was; and what issues were covered.

Liam Byrne: Daily Situation Reports (SitReps) are collected from acute trusts on weekdays during the winter months on an exception basis. They are required if any of the following operational problems occur:
	Accident and Emergency (AE) closures
	AE diversions
	Trolley waits of over 12 hours
	Urgent operations cancelled for the second or subsequent time
	Non-medical critical care transfers out of an approved critical care transfer group
	Unplanned reductions in elective workload because of pressures and
	Difficulties with ambulance queuing.
	Weekly SitReps currently cover the following topics:
	AE attendances
	Time spent in AE
	Wait from decision to admit to admission
	Emergency admissions
	Cancelled operations
	Delayed transfers of care
	Beds available and occupied
	Non-medical critical care transfers and
	Ambulance calls responded to.
	The number of SitReps collected in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Daily SitReps Weekly SitReps 
		
		
			 200001 116 31 
			 200102 67 53 
			 200203 71 52 
			 200304 90 52 
			 200405 96 53

Smoking

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the proportion of smokers are aged (a) 16 and under, (b) 17 to 24, (c) 25 to 30, (d) 31 to 40 and (e) over 40 years, broken down by sex; and what the equivalent figures were in (i) 1976, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1983, (iv) 1987, (v) 1992, (vi) 1997 and (vii) 2000.

Caroline Flint: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Estimates of the prevalence of smoking among adultsaged 16 and over are obtained from the general household survey. Although the GHS covers Great Britain, the data presented here are for England only.
	Data on smoking among young people are available from a series of surveys of secondary school children in years seven-11, mainly aged 1115.
	The available information is presented in three tables, using the results of the general household survey 1980 to 2003 and Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2004.
	
		Table 1: Prevalence of smoking cigarette among adults aged 17 and over, by age and gender, England, 1992, 2000 and 2003 -- Percentage/numbers of current cigarette smokers
		
			  1724 2530 3140 Over 40 All adults aged 17 and over 
		
		
			 Men  
			 Unweighted  
			 1992 36 37 31 25 29 
			 Weighted  
			 2000 35 41 33 24 29 
			 2003 34 39 33 23 27 
			   
			 Women  
			 Unweighted  
			 1992 33 34 27 24 27 
			 Weighted  
			 2000 33 33 31 20 25 
			 2003 31 33 28 20 24 
		
	
	Note:
	In 2000, weighting to compensate for non-response was introduced to the GHS. This is described in detail in the 2000 report. The effect of weighting on the smoking data is slight, increasing the estimated overall prevalence by one percentage point.
	Source:
	General Household Survey 1992, 2000 and 2003 (Office for National Statistics)
	
		Table 2: Prevalence of smoking cigarettes among adults aged 16 and over, by age and gender England, 1980 to 2003 -- Numbers/percentages
		
			  All 1619 2024 2534 3549 5059 60 and over 
		
		
			 Men
			 Unweighted
			 1980 42 33 44 47 45 45 34 
			 1982 37 31 39 40 39 41 32 
			 1984 35 28 39 39 38 38 29 
			 1986 34 30 41 37 37 34 28 
			 1988 32 28 37 37 36 32 25 
			 1990 31 28 39 37 34 27 24 
			 1992 29 29 39 35 31 27 20 
			 1994 28 28 42 34 31 26 17 
			 1996 28 25 43 38 30 27 17 
			 1998 28 30 42 37 32 26 15 
			 Weighted
			 1998 29 30 40 38 33 27 16 
			 2000 29 30 36 39 31 27 16 
			 2001 28 24 39 38 31 25 16 
			 2002 27 22 38 36 29 26 16 
			 2003 27 26 38 37 31 25 15 
			 
			 Women
			 Unweighted
			 1980 36 32 40 43 41 42 24 
			 1982 32 31 39 36 37 38 23 
			 1984 32 31 35 35 35 40 22 
			 1986 31 31 38 35 33 34 22 
			 1988 30 27 37 33 34 33 21 
			 1990 28 33 39 34 32 27 19 
			 1992 27 24 37 32 28 28 19 
			 1994 25 28 38 30 28 26 16 
			 1996 27 32 37 33 30 26 18 
			 1998 26 33 40 33 28 26 16 
			 Weighted
			 1998 26 33 40 32 28 27 16 
			 2000 25 28 35 32 27 26 15 
			 2001 25 31 35 30 27 24 17 
			 2002 25 28 38 33 27 24 14 
			 2003 24 24 34 31 28 22 14 
		
	
	Note:
	The unweighted base for 2003 is of similar size to the unweighted base for earlier years. In 2000, weighting to compensate for non-response was introduced to the GHS. This is described in detail in the 2000 report. The effect of weighting on the smoking data is slight, increasing the estimated overall prevalence by one percentage point.
	Source:
	General Household Survey, 1980 to 2003. Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 3: Prevalence of regular smokers, in school years seven-11 years, by gender, England, 1982 to 2004 -- Percentage
		
			 Smoking behaviour 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1993 1994 
		
		
			 Boy regular smoker 11 13 7 7 9 9 8 10 
			 Girls regular smoker 11 13 12 9 11 10 11 13 
			 Total regular smoker 11 13 10 8 10 10 10 12 
		
	
	
		
			  1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Boy regular smoker 11 9 8 9 8 9 7 7 
			 Girls regular smoker 15 12 10 12 11 11 11 10 
			 Total regular smoker 13 11 9 10 10 10 9 9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The survey from which the results are taken from questions secondary pupils years seven to 11.
	2.The majority of pupils questioned are therefore from the ages 1115
	3.A regular smoker is defined as usually smoking at least one cigarette a week
	Source:
	Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2004 (Health and Social Care Information Centre)
	We are not able to give the 'proportion of smokers' but are able to supply the 'prevalence of smoking' for particular years and age ranges.
	Table 1. We have been able to provide prevalence data for ages 1724, 2530, 2140, over 40 and all adults aged 17 and over, for years 1992, 2000 and 2003 using the general household survey. We have been unable to provide data for the above age groups for years 1976, 1979, 1983 and 1987.
	Table 2. As we have been unable to provide all yearsrequested in the PQ, we have included smoking prevalence (based on GHS tables) for a range of other years (1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003). However, this is not readily available in the age groups requested. Instead the data is grouped by those aged 1619, 2024, 2534, 3549, 5059, 60 and over and all ages 16 and over.
	We have not included adult data prior to 1980 as this is only available at Great Britain level and not for England.
	Table 3. The PQ asks for data on those aged under 16. The closest smoking prevalence data for children we are able to provide is for pupils in school years seven-11, where the majority of students will be aged 1115. However, the only exact year that we can provide data for is 1992 and 2000. Nonetheless, we have provided prevalence figures in close proximity to the years requested (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004).
	The first survey of secondary school children was conducted in 1982, hence the absence of earlier prevalence data.

Smoking

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials had with (i) Action on Smoking and Health and (ii)FOREST about part I of the Health Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Since publication of the Health Bill on 27 October 2005 there have been no formal discussions with Action on Smoking and Health or FOREST at either ministerial level or official level.
	However, both organisations responded to the public consultation on the smokefree elements of the Bill, which was held between 20 June and 5 September 2005.
	An analysis has been published and is available in the Library.

Staff Uniforms

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the laundry turn-around time at hospitals and the risks of cross infection in homes and hospitals caused by hospital staff laundering uniforms at home.

Jane Kennedy: National health service trusts management are required to adopt procedures that ensure that patients and staff are not put at risk of infection from used and infected linen. It is also their responsibility to establish with their laundry provider appropriate performance measures.
	The decision as to whether nurses' uniforms are laundered through the hospital laundry services, or whether nurses wash their uniforms themselves, is made locally.
	Advice and guidance on hospital laundry arrangements was issued to NHS trusts in Health Service Guidance HSG (95)18. This sets out the arrangements for the handling and laundering of linen and states the importance of securing the disinfection of used and infected linen, including uniforms. This guidance is being reviewed to ensure it reflects current research evidence.

Statutory Instruments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many statutory instruments introduced by her Department had to be (a) withdrawn, (b) amended by a further statutory instrument and (c) reprinted because of defective drafting in each session since 1997; and what steps she (i) is taking and (ii) plans to take to prevent further such instances.

Jane Kennedy: Information is not available in the format requested. The information in the table gives the number of statutory instruments (SI) issued free of charge because of an error or defect in an earlier instrument.
	
		
			  Number of SIs 
		
		
			 199798 4 
			 199899 4 
			 19992000 6 
			 200001 1 
			 200102 4 
			 200203 4 
			 200304 7 
			 200405 3 
		
	
	We have identified one occasion when an instrument was withdrawn. This was in the 200405 parliamentary Session. The Department lays in the order of 150 SIs a year and any errors are regretted. We have a range of measures in place to provide expert advice and training to lawyers and officials involved in the process and aim to ensure that lessons are learned.

Statutory Instruments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to (a) policy officials and (b) lawyers in her Department responsible for drafting statutory instruments; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Statutory Instruments (SIs) are drafted by departmental lawyers based on instructions from policy divisions. Where SIs amend primary legislation, parliamentary counsel are consulted.
	As members of the Government Legal Service (GLS), departmental lawyers receive extensive training on the preparation and drafting of statutory instruments. This consists of a combination of lectures and practical exercises run by experienced practitioners in the GLS, coupled with training given by legal advisers who advise the parliamentary scrutiny committees. In addition, senior managers in the GLS take a close interest in the quality of SIs and provide frequent feedback and on the job training to those with lead responsibility for drafting. This is an ongoing process and part of the continuing education of Government legal advisers.

Strategic Health Authorities

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital allocations she expects to be made available to the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority over the next three years; and for what purpose each allocation will be made.

Rosie Winterton: No decisions have yet been madeon national health service capital allocations for 200607 onwards.
	The last round of capital allocations was announced in January 2003, covering 200304, 200405 and 200506.

Temporary Staff

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many temporary staff were employed by her Department in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The figures requested are published in civil service statistics. Table A in civil service statistics covers permanent and temporary staff numbers on a full-time equivalent basis in the Department. Civil service statistics are available in the Library and on the Cabinet Office statistics website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_ service/statistics/civil_service_statics/index.asp

Temporary Staff

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will break down the number of (a) agency staff, (b) contractors and (c) consultants currently employed within the Department by (i) pay band and (ii)length of contract.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Velcade

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress has been made in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence review of the drug Velcade;
	(2)  what guidance she has issued to primary care trusts concerning the use of the drug Velcade for the treatment of myeloma.

Jane Kennedy: Preparatory work on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal of Velcade has commenced. Velcade is one of the five drugs in the first tranche of appraisals in NICE'S single topic appraisal process. The first guidance from this new process is expected to be published in mid 2006.
	In 1999, the Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks national health service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE has not yet been issued. These arrangements should include an assessment of the available evidence.

Waiting Times

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time was to make an appointment with a general practitioner in North Yorkshire in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The requested data are not collected or held centrally. Since 2001, data have been collected each month from primary care trusts and general practitioners (GPs) on the availability of access to a GP. These data show whether access is or is not available in line with 'The NHS Plan' target that patients should be able to be seen within 48 hours but do not provide information on actual waiting times. In November in North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority, primary care trusts reported that 100 per cent. of patients were able to be offered a GP consultation within two working days.

Walsgrave Hospital

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions her Department has had with the chief executive of Walsgrave hospital regarding its predicted monetary shortfall in 200506.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not discussed the matter with the chief executive of University hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Trust. It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves financial balance. This is now a matter for West Midlands South SHA.

X-ray Equipment

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat percentage of NHS X-ray equipment was (a) condemned and (b) repaired in 200405.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not held centrally.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Education Services

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which of the local authorities referred to in the answer of 11 November 2003, Official Report, columns 2171W, subsequently employed private contractors or partners to deliver education services.

Jacqui Smith: The following authorities have all been directed to outsource some or most of their education functions to a private contractor as a result of independent inspection evidence of failure of those services. Other authorities may have chosen to employ private contractors or partners to deliver some of their education services, but have not been required to do so. We expect local authorities to take responsibility for improving their own services, and would not intervene and direct a particular solution unless the authority demonstrates it is unable to do so.
	Bradford (directed in 2001)
	Hackney (directed in 1999 and 2002)
	Haringey (directed in 2001)
	Isles of Scilly (directed in 2004)
	Islington (directed in 2000)
	Leeds (directed in 2001)
	North East Lincolnshire (directed in 2005)
	Southwark (directed in 2001 and 2003)
	Swindon (directed in 2002)
	Walsall (directed in 1999 and 2002)
	Waltham Forest (directed in 2001)

Employer Training Pilots

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 601W, what criteria she uses to decide whether information in relation to the employer training pilots should be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Phil Hope: Decisions about the learning required by individual employers taking part in the employer training pilots are reached after discussions with skills brokers and help with identifying and assessing the training needs of low-skilled employees. As such decisions are business-related, we feel it is not appropriate to give information about the training and funding received by individual employers participating in ETP without first obtaining permission to do so from each employer. As of the end of November 2005, 26,434 employers had participated in employer training pilots.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many meetings of the EU (a) Coordination Group to promote uniformity of application of the general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas (first general system) and (b) Advisory Committee on medical training have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: No meetings of the Coordination Group (first general system) or the Advisory Committee on medical training were held during the UK presidency.

Examination Results

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) A-level and (b) GCSE results for each school in Doncaster North constituency were in each year since 1995; and what the average results were for all schools in (i) Doncaster North, (ii) Yorkshire and (iii) England.

Jacqui Smith: The data requested up to 2004 can be found in the following tables, 2005 data has not been provided as school and constituency level data is not yet available.
	
		Percentage of 15 year old pupils achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE or equivalent in schools 19962004
		
			  1995 1996 1997(7) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004(8) 
		
		
			 North Doncaster technology college 18 31 29 25 24 15 25 40 28 47 
			 Thorne trammar 19 25 27 22 30 29 31 34 30 33 
			 Don Valley high school 21 26 20 22 17 21 24 30 34 35 
			 Campsmount technology college 23 24 19 29 32 33 33 22 26 21 
			 North Doncaster 20.8 26.2 22.7 24.2 25.3 25.7 28.5 30.0 29.2 32.6 
			 Yorkshire  37.3 38.2 38.9 40.6 42.3 43.3 44.5 45.9 47.5 
			 England 43.5 44.5 45.1 46.3 47.9 49.2 50.0 51.6 52.9 53.7 
		
	
	(7)Percentages from 1996/97 include GNVQ equivalencies.
	(8)Percentages for 2003/04 include GCSE and Equivalents which have been approved for pre-16 use.
	Notes:
	1.Regional figures exclude independent schools. England figures include all schools.
	2.Figures for individual schools are published in the secondary school achievement and attainment tables as integer percentages, and the overall England figure is published to one decimal place. Regional figures are conventionally quoted to one decimal place.
	3.Prior to 2002 North Doncaster technology college was known as Adwick school. Prior to 2004 Campsmount technology college was known as Campsmount school.
	4.1995 figures for Yorkshire are not available because some schools in Yorkshire were under the control of the then Humberside local education authority which was reorganised in 1996.
	
		Average point score per candidate at A level or equivalent 19952004
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 North Doncaster technology college 15.4 19.5 14.3 13.7 11.9 11.3 10.1 160.9 152.3 157.8 
			 Thorne grammar 16.3 11.8 11.9 11.6 15.3 15.9 14.6 213.0 170.0 160.9 
			 Don Valley high school 9.3 13.2 12.8 15.4 10.4 14.6 12.8 151.2 190.9 196.3 
			 Campsmount technology college 9.8 7.5 10.0 10.2 8.0 14.8 16.0 174.0 247.6 205.7 
			 North Doncaster 13.3 14.5 12.7 13.0 11.6 13.8 13.1 172.2 185.6 182.3 
			 Yorkshire  17.3 17.4 16.2 16.8 16.9 16.7 244.7 250.5 262.3 
			 England 16.0 16.8 17.3 16.7 17.1 17.3 17.4 254.7 258.9 269.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Prior to 2002 North Doncaster technology college was known as Adwick school.
	2.Prior to 2004 Campsmount technology college was known as Campsmount school.
	3.1995 figures for Yorkshire are not available because some schools in Yorkshire were under the control of the then Humberside local education authority which was reorganised in 1996.
	Point score calculations
	1995/961999/2000: The average GCE A/AS point score per student entered for the equivalent of two or more A/AS examinations (figures from 1997/98 include Advanced GNVQs), with a point score based on the following tariff:
	
		Table 1
		
			 GCE A level GCE AS level Advanced GNVQ 
			 Grade Points Grade Points Grade Points 
		
		
			 A 10 A 10 Distinction 18 
			 B 8 B 8   
			 C 6 C 6 Merit 12 
			 D 4 D 4   
			 E 2 E 2 Pass 6 
		
	
	2000/01: The average point score per student entered for at least one A level or Advanced GNVQ, based on the points tariff shown in Table 1.
	2001/02: The average GCE/VCE A/AS point score per student. The point score for each grade are as follows (based on the UCAS points tariff).
	
		Table 2
		
			 GCE/VCE AS level GCE VCE A level VCE Double Award Points 
		
		
			   AA 240 
			   AB 220 
			   BB 200 
			   BC 180 
			   CC 160 
			   CD 140 
			  A DD 120 
			  B DE 100 
			  C EE 80 
			 A D  60 
			 B   50 
			 C E  40 
			 D   30 
			 E   20 
		
	
	2002/032004/05: The average GCE/VCE A/AS and key skills point score per candidate. Points are as in Table 2 but with a key skill at Level 3 pass equivalent to 20 points.

Foundation Schools

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has conducted on the impact on other local schools of the admissions procedures of foundation schools.

Jacqui Smith: We are analysing existing data to examine the relationship, if any, between admission authority status of school and levels of social segregation. This work is not yet complete. The results will be made available when it is complete.

Gifted/Talented Pupils

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the benefits to pupils in Worcestershire of membership of the academy for gifted and talented pupils.

Jacqui Smith: The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) currently has 925 members in Worcestershire. Members can participate in NAGTY activities including e-learning, summer schools and outreach events. Full details of NAGTY's services to student members may be found on their website at
	www.nagty.ac.uk/student_ academy/index.aspx.
	Feedback to NAGTY from its members suggests that those who participate fully receive the greatest benefits. Members report improved motivation and ability to meet challenges leading to increased aspiration and improved self esteem. This has been endorsed by independent evaluations of NAGTY summer schools by Ofsted and by Cedar, the research body based at the university of Warwick. My Department will be commissioning a full, external evaluation of NAGTY services during 2006.

Herefordshire Council

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been awarded to Herefordshire council to provide for new buildings in each school in Herefordshire in each of the last three years; how much was awarded in each case; if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Funding awarded to Herefordshire council to provide for new buildings and other capital works in each school in Herefordshire in each of the last three years is set out in the following table, to the nearest 0.1 million:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200304 27.6 
			 200405 8.4 
			 200506 8.7 
		
	
	The figure of 27.6 million in 200304 includes an allocation of 19.5 million for a PFI building scheme.
	No records are held centrally on how much is being spent on new buildings in each school. This is because expenditure on each school, and between new building and other capital works, is determined by the local authority in accordance with priorities set out in the local asset management plan.

Learning and Skills Council

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 124W, on Learning and Skills Council, whether further savings means savings within the projected administration budgets for 200607 and 200708; and in what circumstances these savings (i) would and (ii) would not be released to the sector.

Bill Rammell: The LSC is currently consulting on the detail of its restructuring exercise which will result in savings in administration costs. I expect that these savings will start to become available from 200708. Once the consultation is completed my department and the LSC will agree where these savings should be directed to meet our priorities and a full profile for the release of savings.

Literacy Teaching

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whom she has asked to carry out the review of the framework for teaching literacy; which experts have been invited to submit evidence to this review; how many responses she has received to the Department's consultation on the review; and whether the recommendations of the Rose review will be adopted by the framework for teaching literacy.

Jacqui Smith: The Primary National Strategy has been asked to renew and update its framework for the teaching of literacy.
	A period of informal consultation is currently under way. Discussions are being held with consultancy groups drawn from national samples of head teachers, teachers, local authority representatives, subject and professional organisations and higher education institutions. A consultation forum has been set up on the DfES website. To date, well over 100 contributors have taken part in consultancy group discussions and the website consultation forum has had 14 contributions posted on it, some of which are from local authorities feeding back comments from their meetings with local teachers.
	The Strategy will continue to hold discussions with experts across the English community to elicit their views on proposed content and structure of the revised framework and will post documentation on the website for wider comment. After Easter 2006, a draft revised framework will be published for more formal consultation. The Secretary of State made clear when she announced the Rose review and the renewal of the literacy framework in June 2005 that the findings of theRose review would inform the development of the revised framework.

National Employer Training Programme

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 601W, on the National Employer Training Programme, how many employees participated in the employer training pilots in each local learning and skills council area involved in (a) 200203, (b) 200304 and (c) 200405.

Phil Hope: Employer Training Pilots (ETP) were introduced in September 2002 to encourage employers to invest in skills and qualifications, particularly for low skilled employees.
	Pilots have been running since September 2002 in the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas of Birmingham and Solihull, Derbyshire, Essex, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear and Wiltshire and Swindon. From September 2003, six additional pilots have been running in Berkshire, East London, Kent, Leicester, Shropshire and South Yorkshire. From September 2004, additional pilots have been running in Black Country, Cambridgeshire, Devon and Cornwall, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, and Northumberland, County Durham and Tees Valley joined the Tyne and Wear pilot to create a whole region pilot.
	The numbers of learners starts in each local Learning and Skills Council area involved were:
	
		ETP learner starts by pilot areayears 1,2 and 3
		
			  Learners 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003 Learners 1 September 2003 to 31 August 2004 Learners 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005 Total learners 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2005 
		
		
			 Berkshire 25 3,982 2,808 6,815 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 1,562 4,461 6,098 12,121 
			 Black Country  11 3,540 3,551 
			 Cambridgeshire   3,616 3,616 
			 Co. Durham(9)  1 2,116 2,117 
			 Derbyshire 1,715 5,378 4,397 11,490 
			 Devon and Cornwall   4,236 4,236 
			 Essex 4,169 10,152 6,652 20,973 
			 Greater Manchester 4,268 11,572 9,354 25,194 
			 Kent and Medway 2 4,563 4,361 8,926 
			 Lancashire  1 4,219 4,220 
			 Leicestershire  5,120 7,732 12,852 
			 London East 302 5,177 4,030 9,509 
			 Northumberland(9)   1,741 1,741 
			 Shropshire  5,351 4,736 10,087 
			 South Yorkshire 57 7,786 4,418 12,261 
			 Tees Valley(9)   2,893 2,893 
			 Tyne and Wear(9) 2,702 6,091 9,148 17,941 
			 West Yorkshire   5,394 5,394 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 2,801 5,250 3,669 11,720 
			 Total 17,603 74,896 95,158 187,657 
		
	
	(9)North East Regional Pilot

Nurseries (Child Abuse)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many convictions there have been for child abuse at nurseries in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	It is not possible from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, to identify those offenders convicted for child abuse at nurseries, as the circumstances of an offence are not centrally collected.

Out-of-classroom Educational Experiences

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase financial support for high quality out-of-classroom educational experiences; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The consultation on the Education outside the Classroom Manifesto, which endorses all pupils having the opportunity for high quality out-of-classroom educational experiences, will finish at the end of January 2006. The 10 working groups will make proposals for action early next year. No decisions have yet been made on funding.

Parent Support Advisers

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the piloting of new parent support advisers referred to in paragraph 1.23 of the pre-Budget report; and what their intended role is.

Jacqui Smith: The pre-Budget report announced 20 million to support the piloting of a new school-based outreach roleparent school advisersin over 600 primary and secondary schools in the most deprived areas. These advisers will offer early preventative support for children and families where there are signs that they could benefit from additional help. Parent school advisers will work with families to identify the most effective support for them. This might include a parenting programme, mentoring for the parent of child, or one-to-one tuition for the child.
	We also want to use the pilots to consider the most effective means of enabling parent school advisers to have sufficient leverage over, and ensure delivery of, the additional services children and their families might need.

School Meals

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools had more than 20 per cent. of pupils entitled to free school meals in the last year forwhich figures are available; and what this represents as a percentage of the total number of schools in each sector.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(10): number of schools with 21 per cent. or more of pupils known to be eligible for free school mealsJanuary 2005England
		
			  Maintained primary Maintained secondary 
		
		
			 Total number of schools 17,642 3,385 
			
			 Schools with 21 per cent. or more of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(11) 
			 Number of schools 5,018 844 
			 As a percentage of all schools 28 25 
		
	
	(10)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(11)Based on percentages rounded to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

School Standards and Framework Act

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the operation of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

Jacqui Smith: The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 has had a very significant impact. In 1997, a third of children left primary schools without having mastered the basics in English and maths. Now three-quarters achieve in maths and even more in English. Many 5 to 7-year-olds were in classes of more than 30. That experience is a thing of the past.
	There have been sustained and substantial improvements in attainment at 14,16 and 18. There are many fewer failing schools. In 1998, 616 secondary schools secured 5 A*-Cs at GCSE for fewer than 25 per cent. of their pupils. Now that figure is 131. These achievements are important but we must now go further. Our White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools For All sets out our plans to do so.

Schools (Fire Risks)

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she plans to publish the findings of the public consultation on building bulletin 100, Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fires in Schools.

Jacqui Smith: Public consultation on the draft guidance Building Bulletin 100 (BB 100), Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fire in Schools, concluded on 18 November 2005. An analysis of the responses to the consultation is under way and we expect to publish the findings on the Department's website by 31 March 2006. We anticipate publishing the final, agreed version of BB 100 in the summer of 2006.

Schools White Paper

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Schools White Paper, if she will ensure that local authorities will in future be able to provide services to (a) community schools, (b) trust schools, (c) foundation schools, (d) academies, (e) voluntary-controlled schools and (f) voluntary-aided schools.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities will retain their ability to offer services to all categories of maintained schools and academies under the White Paper proposals.

Skills for Life

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made of (a) the Skills for Life programme and (b) the report of the Adult Learning Inspectorate on the programme.

Phil Hope: The Adult Learning Inspectorate Chief Inspector's report published on 7 December highlighted the need to improve the quality of adult basic skills provision. The Department is already tackling the issues raised through a coherent Quality Initiative which includes teaching training, workforce development and initiatives which will increase the quality of teaching and learning. This will form part of the Quality Improvement Strategy lead by the Quality Improvement Agency. Recent ALI and Ofsted reports have highlighted improvements in quality, eg improved diagnostic assessment and better use of teaching and learning materials. The number of unsatisfactory or weak inspections in further education colleges has halved in the last year. Two colleges have now been awarded beacon status for Skills for Life.
	Since the launch of the strategy in 2001, 3.7 million learners have taken up 7.8 million learning opportunities, and 1,130,000 of these learners went on to achieve at least one first literacy, language or numeracy qualification. We are on track to meet our PSA target to help 2.25 million learners achieve qualifications by 2010.
	A report by the National Audit Office, published December 2004, reported that
	The Department has led the development of lasting improvements in literacy, language and numeracy learning. There are more ways for people to improve their skills and the Department has raised awareness by advertising and working with other Government Departments to reach their clients.

Spin-off Companies

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made of the effects on the UK economy of spin-off companies from English universities.

Barry Gardiner: I have been asked to reply.
	For the years 1999 to 2003 the total number of spin-outs from English universities is 726. There was an initial huge increase though this has now levelled off, and in the 200203 year, the number of spin-outs reported was 158.
	Spin-out companies from English universities have reported 252 million in turnover and over 10,000 FTE staff, in 200203.
	In the past two years, 20 spin-outs from UK universities have floated on stock exchanges in the UK and USA, with a combined IPO value of over 1 billion.
	This information is gathered by University Companies Organisation on a UK- wide basis, and the England only figures, are not easily obtainable.

Teachers' TV Channel

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average hourly cost of providing programming on the Teachers' TV channel has been since its launch.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Teachers' TV was successfully launched on 8 February 2005. It aims to help raise standards in classrooms by helping to share good practice, support continuing professional development, offer classroom resources, and provide education news and information.
	The channel has a high 'repeat rate' where the same hours programming is broadcast a number of times within the schedule. The average cost for each commissioned programming hour is 2,819.

Teachers' TV Channel

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent on the Teachers' TV channel since its launch.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Teachers' TV was successfully launched on 8 February 2005. It aims to help raise standards in classrooms by helping to share good practice, support continuing professional development, offer classroom resources, and provide education news and information.
	Since its launch, the Department has spent 17.8million on Teachers TV.

Teachers' TV Channel

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average hourly viewing figures for Teachers' TV have been in each month since its launch.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 December 2005
	We currently estimate that 240,000 households watch Teachers TV on a monthly basis. Of these, almost 90,000 are from the school work force. At least 637,000 people watched Teachers' TV (on digital TV) between launch and the end of July 2005. Channel viewers watch 40 to 50 minutes on average (which equates to roughly three programmes that can help support their continuing professional development) each week.

Trust Schools

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what arrangements she plans to put in place to dispose of the assets of a trust school if such a school should close;
	(2)  whether assets will be transferred from local authority control to the control of a trust when a trust school is set up.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 19 December 2005
	I can confirm that all land and buildings held by a local authority for the purposes of a school becoming a trust school would normally transfer to and vest in the trust. The trustees would need to notify the school's maintaining local authority if they wished to dispose of any non-playing field land and, in the case of playing field land, they would need to obtain the prior consent of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills before disposing, or changing the use, of such land.
	The existing arrangements that deal with land issues when a foundation or voluntary school closes will also apply to trust schools. They will require the trustees of a closing trust school to apply to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to exercise her powers and direct that the land either be returned to the local authority or to pay her or the authority the whole or part of the value of the land. Where the discontinuance of a trust school is connected with proposals for the establishment of a new school she may direct that the land transfer to and vest in the governing body or trustees of the new school.

Union Modernisation Fund

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes in funding to the Union Modernisation Fund have been proposed as a result of priorities for success.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	None.

WorldSkills Competition

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the Government plan to prepare for the UK WorldSkills bid.

Phil Hope: The preparation work for the bid is already well advanced, and is being shared between the UK Government and skills partners in the business, voluntary and public sectors. This will help to build an enduring social partnership which will promote a higher level of skills investment across the UK as an important legacy effect. A national coalition of skills partners, including the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Investors in People UK (IiP UK), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the devolved Administrations, is working hard to secure the funding we need.
	We have put in place a Project Board and a UK-wide steering group chaired by myself to manage the bid process. At its first meeting on 7 December, the steering group endorsed the partnership approach as the best way forward and approved the plans for the Pre-Qualification Visit in January.
	In January a team from the WorldSkills Executive Board will visit us to validate our Expression of Interest against their essential criteria for hosting the event. If these criteria are met, we will be invited to submit a full bid. Our task will be to showcase the best that London can offer and convince the WorldSkills assessors that we mean business. We will then work with the LSC, the SSDA, IiP UK, UK Skills and the devolved Administrations to submit a full bid by 31 March 2006.
	Our bid will eventually be presented to the WorldSkills Council in Melbourne in May, where we will find ourselves competing against France, Sweden and Australia. If successful, we will then build the national organisation and funding model we need to deliver the event.

WorldSkills Competition

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received on the UK's bid to host the 2011 WorldSkills Competition.

Phil Hope: The Expression of Interest that we submitted to WorldSkills in September included letters of in principle support from Allan Wilson (Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Scottish Executive) and Angela Smith MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland). We have also received written in principle support from Jane Davidson, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Welsh Assembly, as well as letters from Sir Digby Jones, Director General of the CBI, Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, Sir Roy Gardner, Chief Executive of Centrica plc, and Garry Hawkes, Chair of Edge. Discussions are also on-going with various bodies to provide sponsorship (both in cash and in kind) for the bid as well as the event itself, should we be successful. These include the Corporation of London, City  Guilds, the Honda Institute, and various media organisations.

WorldSkills Competition

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what skills areas she has identified for targeting in the 2011 WorldSkills Competition, should the UK win the bid.

Phil Hope: The UK put forward 18 competitors at the 2005 WorldSkills competition in Helsinki. In 2011 we aim to field a full team comprising over 40 competitors in skills ranging from welding and autobody repair, to beauty therapy and restaurant service. We will use the Japan 2007 and Canada 2009 competitions to build our capacity to do this. By 2011 we hope to have a pool of young people trained to a world class standard from which to select the UK team.
	If our bid for 2011 is successful we will also be able to showcase a number of demonstration skills reflecting our developing skills priorities as the host nation. Discussions about these priorities are still at an early stage, as we have yet to submit our bid, but current ideas include customer service, dance (traditional, modern and ethnic based), IT skills for use in the City, or updated versions of traditional skills (i.e. construction skills). Our final choice will not be made until 200709.

CABINET OFFICE

Ministerial Car Fleet

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many vehicles are in the ministerial car fleet, broken down by type of fuel used.

Jim Murphy: The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the framework document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its chief executive Mr Roy Burke to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Parliamentary Questions

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what circumstances Ministers may cease to answer parliamentary questions concerning the performance of a particular public service institution when its status has changed as a result of public sector reforms.

Jim Murphy: In accordance with Section 1 of the ministerial code, Ministers have a duty to Parliament to account, and be held to account, for the policies, decisions and actions of their departments and agencies.

WALES

2012 Olympics

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) the Welsh Assembly Government, (b) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (c) the Disability Rights Commission on the impact of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics on Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: I regularly discuss matters affecting Wales both with Cabinet colleagues and with Ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government. This has included the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
	I have had no discussions on these matters with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). However, the DRC has been involved in the preparations for theGames through their membership of London 2012's London Disability Organisations Forum.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that the huge economic, sporting and social benefits of the 2012 games are spread across the whole of the UK, and I intend, along with Ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government, to ensure that we in Wales can maximise those benefits.
	The games will provide an outstanding showcase for disabled sportboth in Britain and abroad. The UK was a pioneer in disabled sport, with London hosting the first ever Paralympic games in 1948.

Aerospace Industry

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial support his Department has provided to help the growth of the aerospace industry in Wales since 1997.

Nick Ainger: None.

Ancient Woodlands

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the protection of ancient woodlands in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: I meet the First Minister regularly to discuss a range of issues, including forestry matters in Wales.
	Woodlands for Wales, published in 2001, sets out the Assembly Government's strategy for the sustainable management of woodlands in Wales for the next 50 years. The strategy includes commitments on the conservation of trees and woodlands. Specific actions underpinning those commitments in respect of protection of ancient woodlands are set out in the Forestry Commission Wales Corporate Plan for the period 200606200708, a copy of which is on theAssembly Government website.
	In July this year, the Assembly Government announced a 2.3 million project to restore ancient woodlands in Wales.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 23 November 2005, Official Report, column 2068W.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on advertising by his Department in each year since May 1997.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office was established in July 1999 and there were no payments on advertising during July 1999 and June 2003.
	In June 2003 the Wales Office became a separate entity within the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA).
	We have adopted the DCA corporate policy for advertising and since this period, the Wales Office has made no payment on advertising.

Departmental Expenditure

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by his Department for use in London Headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has purchased no widescreen televisions.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: My hon. Friend, the Minister for Disabled People (Mrs McGuire), has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). She chairs a cross-government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport, and Department of Trade and Industry. My Hon Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Nick Ainger) will take responsibility for Wales Office liaison with the ODI.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Peter Hain: The Strategy Unit's report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People focuses on four key aspects of disabled people's life chances and includes a number of recommendations for all Government Departments. Many of the recommendations relate to services which are the responsibility of the National Assembly in Wales. In exercising its functions, the Assembly is under a statutory duty to have due regard to the principle of equality of opportunity for all people.
	While my Department is not directly responsible for the delivery of services, we have recently undertaken a number of measures to improve accessibility for disabled employees and visitors.

PR Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with his Department since May 1997.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. The Wales Office has had no contracts with any public relations companies.

Rail Passenger Access

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on rail passenger access for disabled travellers (a) in Wales and (b) at Port Talbot Parkway.

Peter Hain: Arriva Trains Wales manage 235 stations and I understand that the majority are accessible for customers with disabilities, including wheelchairs. All Arriva trains are fitted with a ramp, and train crew receive training in how to respond to the needs of customers with disabilities. The company also operates a helpline which provides support and assistance to customers with disabilities.
	At Port Talbot Parkway station, I understand that the eastbound platform is fully accessible to disabled travellers. Wheelchair users arriving at or departing from the westbound platform require staff assistance in opening a level crossing gate. Arriva advise customers to contact the helpline at least one day before travelling so that they can ensure every assistance can be given. However, the train company will aim to assist customers even where no notice is given.
	Arriva are aware that the arrangements at Port Talbot Parkway are not wholly convenient for some passengers. They are currently undertaking an audit of disability access to all stations and, following this, they intend to consult disability groups on priorities for action.

NORTHERN IRELAND

2012 Olympics

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in Northern Ireland are in receipt of funding for preparation for the next Olympic games.

David Hanson: Under the Recreation and Youth Services Order (Northern Ireland) 1986 the Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is statutorily responsible for the development of Sport in Northern Ireland including the distribution of public funding to sport. At present two individuals in Northern Ireland are in receipt of funding from the SCNI directly in respect of preparation for the next Olympic games.

Anti-poverty Strategy

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2005, Official Report, column 1974W, on the anti-poverty strategy, on what date the Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland will be published.

Angela Smith: In Priorities and Budget 200608, published in December 2005, Government identify the resources they are allocating with the aim of reducing poverty and tackling social need in Northern Ireland. This includes increased spending in health and education budgets along with a significant allocation to two new ring-fenced funds which focus respectively on giving children and young people the best possible start in life and investing in skills and reducing economic inactivity.
	Government will publish further details of their priorities for tackling poverty and social exclusion in the new year, alongside further details of how these new ring-fenced funds will be allocated.

Civil Servants

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are employed in the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Angela Smith: As at 1 December 2005, there were 344 staff in post in the Department.

Civil Servants

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average sickness absence rate was among civil servants for each Government Department in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of the sick leave was for periods of five working days or less.

Angela Smith: Sick absence statistics for the Northern Ireland Departments are analysed by financial year as opposed to calendar year. The information sought is readily available for the 11 Departments of the NI Administration and their agencies for the period 19992000 to 200405. Published statistics for Northern Ireland Departments for the financial years 200001 to 200405 are accessible on the Department's website at www.dfpni.gov.uk/publications.
	The following tables detail:
	1. The average number of days lost during the period 200001 to 200405 for the 11 Departments of the NI Administration and their agencies.
	2. The percentage of the sick leave attributable to periods of five working days or less.
	
		Table 1
		
			 Department 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 DSD 18.6 18.4 19.1 19.7 19.4 
			 DEL 17.9 19.0 18.7 17.7 14.7 
			 DFP 12.8 13.4 13.6 14.3 13.7 
			 DE 15.7 13.2 12.5 11.7 12.8 
			 DOE 14.6 14.1 14.5 13.4 12.0 
			 DARD 12.2 11.8 13.4 12.4 11.5 
			 DCAL 14.7 14.6 13.8 15.1 11.0 
			 DRD 12.2 11.4 10.7 12.0 10.2 
			 DETI 12.4 13.0 12.7 11.8 9.9 
			 DHSSPS 12.9 14.6 13.2 12.3 9.5 
			 OFMDFM 9.7 11.6 12.2 12.6 8.6 
			 Total 14.0 14.1 14.0 15.5 14.2 
		
	
	
		Table 2
		
			 Department 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 DSD 16.6 16.5 16.5 16.3 14.3 
			 DEL 21.6 20.4 18.6 16.6 14.8 
			 DFP 25.0 20.6 23.0 20.2 17.9 
			 DE 19.7 21.3 21.6 21.8 18.2 
			 DOE 23.8 24.5 25.4 26.4 22.5 
			 DARD 20.8 21.9 22.1 21.1 17.5 
			 DCAL 29.3 32.5 32.1 33.2 32.6 
			 DRD 23.7 25.2 26.8 22.5 17.2 
			 DETI 26.6 25.3 26.8 26.6 24.5 
			 DHSSPS 24.5 22.8 25.1 24.6 24.0 
			 OFMDFM 28.5 22.6 23.8 24.0 26.8 
			 Total 20.6 20.2 20.6 19.7 17.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Staff from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Complaints and the Planning Appeals Commission are included in the DFP figures.
	2.Staff from HSENI and OFREG are included in the DETI figures.

Farmers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers in Northern Ireland have left the industry in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Information on the number of farmers in Northern Ireland is collected as part of the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census. For the purposes of the census, farmers are considered to be those individuals who are legally and financially responsible for the farm or who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the farm business. Business partners of the above are also considered farmers.
	
		
			  Farmers Change from previous year 
		
		
			 1995 39,805 -1,302 
			 1996 39,914 +109 
			 1997 39,237 -677 
			 1998 38,832 -405 
			 1999 37,609 -1,223 
			 2000 35,920 -1,689 
			 2001 35,955 +35 
			 2002 34,532 -1,423 
			 2003 33,993 -539 
			 2004 33,363 -630 
			 2005 32,526 -837

Farmers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers in Northern Ireland have been convicted of offences under cattle identification legislation in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not held by parliamentary constituency, but is available by Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) as follows:
	
		
			 DVO 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total 
		
		
			 Armagh 1 0 0 0 1 2 
			 Ballymena 0 0 2 2 2 6 
			 Coleraine 0 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Dungannon 3 2 3 3 1 12 
			 Enniskillen 1 0 4 2 0 7 
			 Larne 3 0 1 1 0 5 
			 Londonderry 2 0 0 0 1 3 
			 Newry 1 0 0 3 1 5 
			 Omagh 3 0 7 2 1 13 
			 Total  54

Farmers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers in Northern Ireland have received cattle bonus payments introduced under the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances scheme, broken down by constituency.

Angela Smith: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does not hold subsidy details on a constituency basis. The number of farmers in Northern Ireland who have received a cattle bonus payment under the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances (LFACA) scheme is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of farmers 
		
		
			 2004 10,748 
			 2005 10,495

Invest Northern Ireland (Grant Criteria)

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used by Invest Northern Ireland to assess whether a grant application by (a) a large company and (b) a small or medium-sized enterprise is eligible for funding.

Angela Smith: Invest NI does not distinguish between projects brought forward by large companies and those from small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's).
	A grant application for funding from Invest NI must satisfy the following criteria:
	(i) Economic Efficiencythe project must generate a satisfactory economic return for both Northern Ireland and the UK economy as a whole;
	(ii) Viabilitythe project must be self-sustaining having received funding on a once and for all basis, and
	(iii) Additionalitythere must be a genuine need for public funds to enable the project to proceed in the nature, scale and timing proposed by the promoter(s).

Minimum Wage

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employers in Northern Ireland have been found to be paying employees less than the minimum wage.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The Inland Revenue started recording the information requested from April 2001 and can provide the following statistical data.
	
		
			  Employers not complying 
		
		
			 200102 244 
			 200203 213 
			 200304 218 
			 200405 204 
			 200506 (to 30 November 2005) 101

Golfing Strategy

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to publish the Golfing Strategy for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) commissioned a Golf Strategy for autumn 2005. Consultation is currently under way. Workshops and seminars were held with key stakeholders in October and November. The Draft Strategy is available from www.nitb.com. The final strategy is due to be released in early 2006.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what nominations are expected to be made to non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland within the next six months.

Angela Smith: In the next six months the Northern Ireland Administration and the Northern Ireland Office intend to invite nominations to some board positions on the non-departmental public bodies listed in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of public body Name of nominating bodies 
		
		
			 Eastern Health and Social Services Council Belfast City Council 
			  Lisburn City Council 
			   
			 Laganside Corporation Belfast Harbour Commissioners 
			   
			 Pig Production Development Committee Ulster Farmers' Union 
			   
			 Drainage Council District Councils 
			   
			 Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards Association of NI Education and Library Boards 
			  Association of Chief Librarians 
			  Association of Chief Executives 
			   
			 Belfast Education and Library Board Presbyterian Church 
			   
			 Northern Ireland Policing Board Political partiesselected in proportion to the 2003 election results using the  d'Hondt formula

Northern Ireland Ombudsman

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many treatment-related complaints have been made to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman by people suffering from (a) mental health-related illnesses and (b) general medical health-related illnesses in each health board area in Northern Ireland in the last five years; and how many and what percentage of those complaints have been upheld by the Ombudsman, broken down by health board area.

Angela Smith: I understand that the Northern Ireland Ombudsman has written to the hon. Gentleman. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

Secondments

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list secondments from Fujitsu Services to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in the last five years; what the (a) commencement and (b) completion date was in each case; and what the nature of the work undertaken was in each case.

Angela Smith: During the last five years, two individuals were seconded from Fujitsu to the eGovernment Unit (formerly known as the Central Information Technology Unit of Northern Ireland) within the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
	Secondment 1
	The secondment arrangement commenced on 1 December 2000 and was completed on 31 March 2002. The nature of the work was to assist with the development of eGovernment strategy.
	Secondment 2
	The secondment arrangement commenced on 15 August 2005 and is ongoing, although responsibility for the eGovernment Unit transferred to the Department of Finance and Personnel on 1 December 2005. The nature of the work is to assist with a number of projects designed to improve NI citizens' access to electronic information.

Students from outside the EU

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many students at each university in Northern Ireland come from countries from outside the European Union.

Angela Smith: The information is as follows.
	
		Non-EU domiciled enrolments at Northern Ireland higher education institutions by institution: 200304
		
			 Institution Enrolments 200304 
		
		
			 Queen's University Belfast 936 
			 University of Ulster 617 
			 Total 1,553 
		
	
	Source:
	HESA.

Teachers

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of providing a scheme which will ensure that newly trained teachers in the Province can have a guaranteed full year of teaching after completing their training.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education and the Department for Employment and Learning have been carrying out a joint review of teacher education in Northern Ireland. Arising from that review, the Departments will be considering a number of options to provide greater continuity in professional development for teachers. This will also address the need for newly qualified teachers to have greater stability in employment during their early years of teaching.

Tourism

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board regarding the promotion and development of the tourism potential on the North Coast.

Angela Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is updated regularly regarding the promotion and development of the tourism potential on the North Coast through the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment and the relevant Minister.
	The development and promotion of the tourism potential on the North Coast is determined by the Strategic Framework for Action and the Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Masterplan. A key recommendation is the implementation of the Causeway Coastal Route which will promote the tourism product on the North Coast. The Causeway Coastal Route has been identified as a primary promotional message to attract visitors to Northern Ireland and has been included in all marketing initiatives for 2006 including:
	international television advertising
	international press advertising
	public relations etc.
	The Northern Ireland Tourist Board is committed to working with strategic partners and tourism providers to develop an internationally competitive and sustainable tourism product on the North Coast.

Victoria Square

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total tonnage of demolition and excavation waste removed from the Victoria Square development in Belfast is; and where the demolition and excavation waste was removed to.

Angela Smith: Businesses are not obliged to submit records to the Department of the Environment but under Duty of Care legislation must retain documents relating to the waste produced.
	Contractors are also obliged under Duty of Care legislation to ensure that all waste is disposed of to an authorised facility.
	As the Department does not hold this information, the collation of such could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Water Service

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much and what percentage of the regional rate has been made up of the costs of (a) water supply to (i) domestic customers and (ii) other water supply customers and (b) sewage treatment in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The regional rate is an un-hypothecated tax, and the amount raised in any year is not linked to, or determined by, the underlying cost of any particular service.

Work Force Statistics

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the composition of the monitored full-time work force (11+) was in (a) 1994 and (b) 2004, broken down by religious designation; and if he will publish this information.

Angela Smith: The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has provided the following information in relation to the composition of the monitored Northern Ireland full-time work force:
	
		Table 1: Composition of the monitored Northern Ireland full-time work force by sex1994
		
			  Protestant Roman Catholic Non-determined Total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Male 131,207 62.4 69,739 33.1 9,486 4.5 210,432 54.3 
			   (65.3)  (34.7) 
			  
			 Female 101,460 57.2 68,563 38.7 7,312 4.1 177,335 45.7 
			   (59.7)  (40.3) 
			  
			 Total 232,667 60.0 138,302 35.7 16,798 4.3 387,767 100 
			   (62.7)  (37.3) 
		
	
	Note:
	Includes the public and private sector full-time work forces combined.
	Source:
	Fair Employment Commission (1995). Monitoring Report No. 5: A profile of the Northern Ireland Workforce, 1994.
	
		Table 2: Composition of the monitored Northern Ireland full-time work force by sex2004
		
			  Protestant Roman Catholic Non-determined Total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Male 125,427 57.6 80,171 36.8 12,168 5.6 217,766 52.6 
			   (61.0)  (39.0) 
			  
			 Female 104,534 53.3 82,064 41.9 9,445 4.8 196,043 47.4 
			   (56.0)  (44.0) 
			  
			 Total 229,961 55.6 162,235 39.2 21,613 5.2 413,809 100.0 
			   (58.6)  (41.4) 
		
	
	Note:
	Includes the public and private sector full-time work forces combined.
	Source:
	Equality Commission (2005). Monitoring Report No. 15: A profile of the Northern Ireland Workforce, 2004.
	Notes:
	1.Tables 1 and 2 are directly comparable.
	2.In both years, the data refer to the combined public and private sector work forces.
	3.The data include all public bodies and those private concerns with 11 or more employees.
	4.Copies of both publications, from which these tables were extracted, will be placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

0870 Numbers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 96W, on 0870 numbers, 
	(1)  what contractual arrangements his Department has for the provision of 0870 lines;
	(2)  what contractual arrangements his Department has for the provision of the non-profit making 0870 lines.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has no policy on, or central contractual arrangements for, the provision of 0870 numbers. The use of 0870 numbers in MOD is determined at local level in accordance with individual business requirements and ordered directly from the supplier.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what administrative savings have been made by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence budget does not include a formal administrative costs control, although the Department's long-standing efficiency programme bears down on overhead costs. Performance against previous efficiency targets has been published in the Department's Performance Reports and, from 200203, the Annual Report and Accounts, which are available on Department's website. Further detail on MOD's Spending Review 2004 efficiency programme is described in its efficiency technical note, which is also published on the website.

Afghanistan (Narcotics)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which NATO armed forces will be responsible for the counter-narcotic operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan after May 2006.

Adam Ingram: Counter-narcotics (CN) operations are the responsibility of the Government of Afghanistan. NATO forces belonging to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have a supporting role in CN operations, as set out in NATO's operational plan for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) any defence communications systems were obstructed and (b) the operational effectiveness of such systems was (i) diminished and (ii)impaired as a consequence of the jamming from within Libya of the Telstar 12 and Hotbird communication satellites at any time over the last 12months; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: No.

Canberra PR9

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF squadrons are equipped with the Canberra PR9 aircraft; how many serviceable aircraft of this type the RAF has in its inventory; when the RAF last deployed the PR9 to Afghanistan; for what purpose; and when the next deployment is scheduled to commence.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The RAF has one squadron equipped with the Canberra PR9 aircraft: No 39 (1PRU) Squadron. There are three Canberra PR9 aircraft in RAF service. The Canberra PR9 reconnaissance aircraft will continue to provide a niche capability within our overall Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance capability until it retires from service. It is not normal practice to comment publicly on deployments of this asset.

Co-operative Engagement Capability

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the main gate approval for cooperative engagement capability was originally scheduled; what the current timetable is; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Main gate approval for the cooperative engagement capability programme was originally planned for 2005. We are currently reviewing the United Kingdom's capability requirement and acquisition strategy with the aim of re-focusing the programme in a joint, rather than solely maritime, context. Main gate will be re-scheduled but the revised timing and other details of the re-worked strategy have not yet been finalised.

Co-operative Engagement Capability

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original planned capability of (a) combat systems risks provision, (b) whole life support and (c) incremental acquisitions programme for the Type-45 destroyers; what the current proposals are; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: As is usual on large and complex projects, changes have been made to internal budgetary assumptions during the life of the Type 45 project to achieve the optimum balance between cost and capability. The planned reductions made in funding for the risk provision associated with the ship's combat system and funding for setting up initial support arrangements, which were listed in the 2005 major projects report, do not materially change the ship's capability. The reduction in funding of the incremental acquisition plan listed in the 2004 and 2005 major projects reports means that a number of capabilities over and above those originally planned for the first of class ship are not currently expected to be fitted to the class. These included enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. However, the Type-45 has been designed to enable its capability to be upgraded through life, and these capabilities may be added at a later stage.

Defence Export Service Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1680W, on the Defence Export Service Organisation (DESO), whether the DESO has kept a record of the requests it has received for lists of agents.

Adam Ingram: No central record of such requests is kept.

Defence Industrial Strategy

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Defence Industrial Strategy.

John Reid: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 15 December 2005, Official Report, columns 146278.

Departmental Properties

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid by his Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 819W, to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone).

Departmental Properties

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid by his Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.

Don Touhig: The table detailing amounts paid for non-domestic rates to each billing authority listed alphabetically by local authority for England, Scotland and Wales has been placed in the Library of the House.
	Those for Northern Ireland have been collated by district. (It would require disproportionate cost and effort to break down the list to the level of detail requested.)

Deployment Times

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the average time between tours was for (a) Infantry Regiment and (b) the Royal Marines in the last two years;
	(2)  what the average deployment time in the Gulf has been since 2003 for (a) Territorial Army and (b) regular personnel.

Adam Ingram: The average periods between operational tours for certain elements of the Army, including the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery and Infantry, are calculated as tour intervals. The average tour interval for Infantry Battalions over the past two years has been 21 months. Other force elements, including the Royal Marines and combat support services of the Army do not calculate periods between operational tours in the same way.
	As the hon. Member will be aware, since operations commenced in Iraq in 2003, the Army's deployments have been divided into discreet roulement periods shown in the following table. The average deployment period in Iraq for both the Regular and TA is 5.3 months.
	
		
			   Months 
			 Operation Deployment period Regular TA 
		
		
			 Telic 1 February to July 2003 3.5 to 5 4 
			 Telic 2 July to November 2003 4.5 4 
			 Telic 3 November 2003 to May 2004 6 6 
			 Telic 4 May to November 2004 6 6 
			 Telic 5 November 2004 to May 2005 6 6 
			 Telic 6 May to November 2005 6 6

Firing Ranges (Bristol Channel)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has issued on the area of the exclusion zones for building rear firing ranges in the Bristol channel.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence operates three offshore firing areas in the Bristol channel east of Ilfracombe at Bridgwater Bay, Rogiet Moor and at St. Thomas' Head. At present, the Ministry of Defence does not maintain any statutory safeguarding zones at these firing ranges that would affect property not owned by the Department. As such the Ministry of Defence does not issue any guidance relating to building works on properties located near these firing ranges.

Fleet Tankers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what armament is to be provided on the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability fleet tankers.

Adam Ingram: No decisions have yet been taken on the armament that will be provided on the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability fleet tankers.

Fleet Tankers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original operating capability was of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability fleet tanker when first planned; and what the current capability envisaged is.

Adam Ingram: The operating capability of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability fleet tanker is being defined as part of the programme's current assessment phase.

Helicopters

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total spending on battlefield helicopters was in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The approximate total costs for the delivery and maintenance of Battlefield Helicopters in the financial years 200001 to 200405 are contained in the following table:
	
		Total battlefield helicopter costs --  million
		
			  Support costs Capital costs Total 
		
		
			 200001 490 860 1,350 
			 200102 570 620 1,190 
			 200203 680 400 1,080 
			 200304 760 240 1,000 
			 200405 820 120 9,40 
		
	
	The high capital costs in the first half of the period shown reflect the procurement of new Apache Attack and Merlin helicopters.

Helicopters

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Sea King and (b) Wessex helicopters are operated by his Department; and what stock of spares is available for each.

Adam Ingram: The departmental fleet size of Sea King helicopters which are either available for use, or under going maintenance or upgrade, is 98. The stock of spares held that are specific to Sea King is valued at 389 million. In addition there is a pool of available spares which are common to Sea King and a number of other aircraft types. Information on these is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The last Wessex helicopter was taken out of service in 2003 and the Department is nearing the end of disposal action on spares. The value of the remaining stock of spares is 28.5 million. This includes parts held pending a decision on the role of the helicopter within the Historic Flight.

MARS Project

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been allocated to the integrator assessment phase of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability project.

Adam Ingram: Costs allocated for the integrator assessment element of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project Assessment Phase will not be determined until the full scope of the work involved has been finalised. These costs will, however, form part of the overall MARS Assessment Phase budget of 44 million.

Meteorological Office

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long services were off-line as a result of the fire at the Exeter headquarters of the Meteorological Office on 26 October 2005; and whether during this period Meteorological Office services at Exeter were supplemented by other UK regional offices.

Don Touhig: The loss of power to one computer hall at the Exeter Headquarters of the Met Office on 26 October 2005 lasted from 10.30 to 17.00, full recovery of affected computer systems was completed and all computer services returned to their normal configuration by 22:00 on 26 October 2005. During the period of the incident many services continued un-interrupted from the second computer hall. In the case of those services where there was, or might have been, an impact, the Met Office business continuity plans were invoked. Some services were delivered from the computer hall which continued to operate; other services were moved from Exeter to the Met Office civil centres and the UK Defence Network. Other work was moved between the civil centres to maintain an acceptable level of service.

Microwave Weaponry

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has commissioned on microwave weaponry.

Adam Ingram: As part of a portfolio of research into innovative technologies, Ministry of Defence has commissioned studies into high power microwave radiation to meet defence needs and to understand the potential threat to United Kingdom forces. The aim of such work is to assess the effects on electronic systems. This research has been on-going over a number of years.

Munitions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 1242W, on munitions, if he will make a statement on the mortar that was stolen in 1999.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Non-commissioned Officers (Special Forces)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of non-commissioned officers who have left the special forces to join private security companies in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: None. Only statistical records are kept on the employment found by those leaving the armed forces, and they do not allow individuals from a particular unit to be tracked to a specific job.

Overseas Recruits

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas recruits there are in (a) each regiment of the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force, (c) the Royal Navy and (d) the Royal Marines, broken down by country of origin.

Don Touhig: For Naval Service and RAF data I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1410W to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price).
	Naval Service data are not centrally held and therefore a breakdown of Royal Navy and Royal Marines data is not available.
	Strength of overseas personnel in the UK Regular Army at 1 October 2005 by country and armed corps is shown in a table which has been placed in the Library.

Porton Down

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what investigation there has been as to what manuals, documents, other materials and information Dr. Wouter Basson of South Africa was given during and subsequent to his visit to Porton Down in 1985; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  who authorised the visit of Dr. Wouter Basson of South Africa to Porton Down in 1985; for what purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 November 2005
	The Ministry of Defence holds no record of any visit by Dr.Wouter Basson to Porton Down at any time in 1985.

Porton Down

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records his Department has retained relating to pre-1975 visits to South Africa by employees of Porton Down.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 November 2005
	Records from before 1975, relating to overseas visits by employees of the Ministry of Defence Porton Down, have been destroyed in accordance with routine file management.

Prisoners of War/Civilian Internees

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residents of Kettering constituency have (a) claimed and (b) been awarded ex-gratia payments under the scheme for former Far East prisoners of war and civilian internees.

Don Touhig: An examination of the Veterans Agency database on 15 December 2005 showed 23 claimants in the Kettering constituency. 22 of these have been awarded ex-gratia payment under the scheme for former Far East prisoners of war and civilian internees.

Royal Tournament

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 2000 the Royal Tournament has been replaced by a military tattoo at Horse Guards Parade in London.

Don Touhig: holding answer 19 December 2005
	Following the last Royal Tournament in 1999 it has been replaced once by a military tattoo at Horse Guards Parade. The Department continues, however, to participate in a wide variety of smaller events such as Open Days, ships visits, County Shows and showcase events such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Fairford Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).

Shipyards (Construction Tenders)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used to determine the eligibility of shipyards to be invited to tender for construction of (a) all and (b) part of naval ships; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Any competent supplier may be invited to bid for such work. An objective evaluation of suitability to be invited to tender is made on a number of factors including, but not limited to, financial capability, quality assurance standards, supplier capability, organisation and management, supply chain management. Assessment of suitability is often facilitated through completion of a pre-qualification questionnaire. There is no absolute requirement to build all warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels onshore, and the evaluation will also need to take into account the need to retain the ability to build, integrate and support complex ships in the UK, as set out in the recently published 'Defence Industrial Strategy'.

Standing Civilian Courts

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been brought before the standing civilian courts in each of the past five years, broken down by category of offence; and what the rate of conviction was in each such category.

Adam Ingram: The number of persons brought before the standing civilian courts for the Army and RAP is shown in the following table. Information on the rate of conviction for each category is not held centrally, but the overall rate of conviction is provided.
	The Royal Navy has no powers to convene standing civilian courts.
	
		
			 Convictions 
			  Army RAF Category of Offence Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2001 9 4 Violence: 3 10 77 
			Drunk: 3   
			Damage: 2   
			Theft: 3   
			Deception: 1   
			Driving: 1   
			   
			 2002 20 1 Violence: 11 12 57 
			Theft: 3   
			Driving: 5   
			Indecency: 1   
			Drugs: 1   
			   
			 2003 20 2 Violence: 10 15 68 
			Driving: 5   
			Drugs: 6   
			Contravention of Orders: 1   
			   
			 2004 20 0 Violence: 8 19 95 
			Theft: 2   
			Drink Driving: 4   
			Damage: 2   
			Minor Motoring: 3   
			Standing Orders: 1   
			   
			 2005 28 0 Violence: 12 22 79 
			Disobedience to SO: 4   
			Drugs: 4   
			Sexual: 1   
			Drink Driving: 1   
			Criminal Damage: 2   
			Breech of CSO: 1   
			Theft: 2   
			Failing to Provide  a Specimen: 1   
		
	
	Notes:
	1. CSOCommunity Service Order.
	2. Percentage figures are rounded up to nearest whole percentage.
	3. Figures for 2005 represent the number of people brought before the standing civilian courts to date.

Standing Civilian Courts

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is recorded on the (a) nature of charges brought, (b) rate of conviction and (c) sentencing outcomes of proceedings of the standing civilian courts.

Adam Ingram: For the Army, with regard to standing civilian courts, information on the number of charges brought, the nature and details of the offence, whether there is a conviction or acquittal, and what the sentence is, is all recorded in a central database.
	For the Royal Air Force, records of cases are kept by each Command alongside Service personnel disciplinary case records, but the information is not held centrally.
	Information is not held relating to the rate of conviction.
	The Royal Navy has no powers to convene standing civilian courts.

Stingray Programme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weapons were to have been produced under the Stingray programme when first planned; and what the current number envisaged is.

Adam Ingram: The number of Stingray weapons originally procured, and the number of these to be upgraded, is classified as they could assist a potential enemy by giving an indication of our weapon reserves.

Territorial Army

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) actual strength is of the Territorial Army, broken down by regiment.

Don Touhig: The total establishment of the Territorial Army (TA) is currently 41,610. Establishment figures are currently not available broken down by regiment. As at 1 November 2005, the overall strength of the TA was some 36,940 (this figure includes mobilized TApersonnel, the officer training corps but excludes full-time reserve service and non-regular permanent staff). I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 1 November 2005, Official Report, column 918W, which offers the most recent strengths by individual regiments and corps.

Territorial Army

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of the Territorial Army in Lancashire.

Don Touhig: Further to the answer I gave on 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 18W, to the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace), I can confirm that no final decisions have been taken on the rebalancing of the Territorial Army. However, they are expected shortly and an announcement will follow in the new year.

Territorial Army

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army recruits completed their basic training in each year from 200203.

Don Touhig: Territorial Army (TA) basic training is defined as Phase 1 training. The number of TA personnel who have completed Phase 1 training is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

US-registered Aircraft

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 US-registered aircraft tail number (a) N44982, formerly N8068V and N379P, and (b) N313P were provided with military air traffic control services.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 12 December 2005
	These records are not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Freedom of Information Act

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many requests for information have been received by her Department since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force; how many requests have had their deadline extended beyond 20 working days to allow consideration of where the public interest lies; and how many requests have been refused on public interest grounds.

Harriet Harman: The DCA publishes quarterly bulletins on the performance of central Government under the FOIA. The third of these reports, covering the period of 1 July to 30 September, was published on 15 December 2005, Official Report, 161WS, and has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and on the DCA's website.
	From 1 January to 30 September DCA has received 495 FOI requests. 61 of these requests have had the deadline extended beyond the statutory deadline of 20working days to allow consideration of where the public interest lies. However, this figure includes 15requests where the decision to extend on public interest grounds was taken after the 20 day statutory deadline had passed. This accounts for the inconsistency with the cumulative figure published in DCA's quarterly bulletins. A total of 83 requests have been refused on public interest grounds.

Juries

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to address the issues raised by Lord Justice Auld in his 2001 review on the ethnic composition of juries; whether she intends to implement Lord Justice Auld's recommendation that where the court considers that race is likely to be relevant in a case, a jury could be selected which includes up to three people from any ethnic minority group; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Government considered Sir Robin Auld's recommendation that the trial judge should have power to arrange for a multi-ethnic jury to hear cases where race is a significant issue. It concluded, after consultation, that it would be wrong to interfere with the composition of the jury in this way, as to do so would potentially: undermine the fundamental principle of random selection; place undue weight on the views of the specially selected jurors, lead them to feel that they were expected to represent the interests of the minority ethnic defendant or victim, and give rise to tensions and divisions in the jury room as a result.

Legal Aid

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the availability of civil legal aid to people living in Kettering constituency.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission contracts with service providers throughout England and Wales to provide a range of legal and advice services across different categories of law.
	There are currently five service providers with a contract to undertake civil legal aid work in the Kettering constituency. Service providers in Kettering may help people who live outside the area, and people who live in Kettering may visit a service provider in a different area.
	Any person residing in England or Wales can access free quality legal advice and information through Community Legal Service Direct. This service is available direct to the public through a telephone line, website and information leaflets.

Legal Aid

Susan Kramer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  if she will list the contracted suppliers of legal aid funded services in the boroughs of (a) Richmond-upon-Thames and (b) Kingston-upon-Thames in relation to (i) housing, (ii) social welfare, (iii) mental health, (iv) employment, (v) family issues, (vi) criminal defence and (vii)immigration;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, columns 12930W, on legal aid, how many of the suppliers in each category are solicitors' firms; and how many solicitors' firms in each borough undertake legal aid work in immigration.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) contracts with suppliers throughout England and Wales to provide a range of legal and advice services across different categories of law. The LSC contracts with solicitors' firms and not for profit organisations.
	The contracted suppliers in the listed categories in Richmond-upon-Thames and Kingston-upon-Thames are as follows:
	Housing
	Antell and Co.
	Conninghams
	Edward Fail Neale and Co.
	Gillman-Smith Lee
	Merrony Wall
	Anthony Stokoe
	Chivers Easton Brown
	Malcolm Johnson and Co.
	Russell-Cooke
	Sheridan and Co.
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Kingston and Richmond Law Centre
	Social Welfare 1 
	Antell and Co.
	Conninghams
	Edward Fail Neale and Co.
	Gillman-Smith Lee
	Merrony Wall
	Anthony Stokoe
	Chivers Easton Brown
	Malcolm Johnson and Co.
	Russell-Cooke
	Sheridan and Co.
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Kingston Citizens Advice Bureaux (debt and welfare benefits)
	Mental Health
	Antell and Co.
	Conninghams
	Edward Fail Neale and Co.
	Gillman-Smith Lee
	Merrony Wall
	Anthony Stokoe
	Chivers Easton Brown
	Malcolm Johnson and Co.
	Russell-Cooke
	Sheridan and Co.
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Employment
	Antell and Co.
	Conninghams
	Edward Fail Neale and Co.
	Gillman-Smith Lee
	Merrony Wall
	Anthony Stokoe
	Chivers Easton Brown
	Malcolm Johnson and Co.
	Russell-Cooke
	Sheridan and Co.
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Kingston and Richmond Law Centre
	Family
	Merrony Wall
	Chivers Easton Brown
	Russell-Cooke
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Criminal defence
	Conninghams
	Edward Fail Neale and Co.
	Keppe Shaw and Partners
	Anthony Stokoe
	Maclaverty Cooper Atkins
	Sherwood Wheatley
	Immigration 2 
	None
	None
	The contracted suppliers in Richmond and Kingston which are solicitors firms are as follows:
	
		
			  Richmond-upon-Thames Kingston-upon-Thames 
		
		
			 Housing 5 6 
			 Social Welfare(12) 5 6 
			 Mental Health 5 6 
			 Employment 5 6 
			 Family 1 3 
			 Criminal defence 3 3 
			 Immigration(13) 0 0 
		
	
	(12) Social Welfare includes the LSC's contract categories debt, welfare benefits and community care.
	(13) The LSC assesses immigration need for London as a whole rather than by borough.

Legal Aid

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what cases qualify for legal aid; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: Legal aid for civil cases is available to anyone who qualifies, provided it is not outside the scope of the scheme and cases out of scope are defamation, boundary disputes, conveyancing, making wills, trust law, damage to property, cases arising out of company or partnership law or the carrying on of business and personal injury (except clinical negligence and through the Lord Chancellor's direction, claims against public authorities alleging serious wrong doing). Each application is considered on an individual basis and is subject to the statutory tests of the applicant's means and the merits of the case.
	To qualify for legal aid representation in criminal cases, the applicant needs to demonstrate that he or she meets the Interests of Justice test. A number of factors are considered in assessing the Interests of Justice in relation to any one individual. This includes whether the applicant, if convicted, is likely to suffer a loss of liberty or livelihood. Under the Criminal Defence Service Bill currently before Parliament, the Government are seeking to ensure that applicants for criminal legal aid representation will in future also be subject to a means test.

Legal Aid

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list thecontracted suppliers of legal aid funded services in the London borough of Haringey in relation to (a) housing, (b) social welfare, (c) mental health, (d) employment, (e) family issues, (f) criminal defence and (g) immigration; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) contracts with suppliers throughout England and Wales to provide a range of legal and advice services across different categories of law.
	The contracted suppliers in the listed categories in the London borough of Haringey are as follows:
	Housing
	Fahri Jacob
	Fletcher Dervish and Co
	Mang and Co
	Rahman and Co
	Tayo Arowojolu Solicitors
	Tyrer Roxburgh and Co
	Waran and Company
	Haringey Law Centre
	Social Welfare 1 
	Fahri Jacob (debt only)
	Tyrer Roxburgh and Co
	Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau
	Haringey Law Centre
	Mental Health
	Dozie and Co
	Needham Poulier and Partners
	Stuart Miller and Co
	Employment
	Tayo Arowojolu Solicitors
	Family
	Copitch
	Fahri Jacob
	Fairbairn Smith and Co
	Fletcher Dervish and Co
	Joan Vis
	Makanda Bart and Co
	Miller Law Practice
	Porters
	Tyrer Roxburgh and Co
	Vahib and Co
	Wilson and Co
	Windsor and Co
	Criminal defence
	A Patrick Keogh
	Attridge Law
	Barant and Co
	Christian Gottfried and Co Solicitors
	Christmas and Sheehan
	Crescent and Co Solicitors
	Dozie and Co
	Elliott P Stern
	Fletcher Dervish and Co
	Hickman and Rose
	Joseph Hill and Co
	Levenes
	Makanda Bart and Co
	Mang and Co
	Michael Carroll and Co
	Needham Poulier and Partners
	Porters
	Rock Solicitors
	Sheikh and Co
	Stuart Miller and Co
	Taylor Nichol
	The Day Partnership
	Toper Hassan and Co
	Vahib and Co
	Wilson and Co
	Immigration
	Antons Solicitors
	Christian Gottfried and Co Solicitors
	Dozie and Co
	Edmunds Solicitors
	Fletcher Dervish and Co
	Howe and Co
	Kothala and Co Solicitors
	Luqmani Thompson and Partners
	Mang and Co
	Rahman and Co
	S C Pelentrides and Co
	Sam and Co Solicitors
	Tayo Arowojolu Solicitors
	Vahib and Co
	Waran and Company
	Wilson and Co
	Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau
	1 Social Welfare includes the LSC's contract categories Debt, Welfare Benefits and Community Care.
	Service providers in Haringey may help people who live outside the area, and people who live in Haringey may visit a service provider in a different area.
	Any person residing in England or Wales can access free quality legal advice and information through Community Legal Service Direct. This service is available direct to the public through a telephone line, website and information leaflets.

Magistrates Court Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on negotiations with the Public and Commercial Services Union on the pay and conditions of magistrates court staff.

Bridget Prentice: The Department has been engaged in discussions throughout 2005 with the unions representing staff subject to former magistrates courts service (MCS) terms and conditions of service. Formal negotiations began on 5 April 2005 once former MCS staff transferred into DCA.
	The Department has made an offer to the unions which officials believe is fair given the current economic circumstances, public sector pay awards generally and what the Department can afford. It is therefore regrettable that PCS and Prospect have called on their members to take industrial action. Officials remain prepared to discuss any constructive proposals that the unions wish to put forward to resolve the dispute, recognising the constraints within which the Department has to operate.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by her Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Harriet Harman: No former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 have been appointed to public bodies in this Department.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bain Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Members of the Government Sir George Bain has met in the process of compiling his report on the Royal Mail; and if he will publish minutes of these meetings.

Barry Gardiner: Sir George Bain is acting as advisor to the Secretary of State on Royal Mail issues. There is no expectation that his work will be pulled together into any single report. In his role he has had various discussions with the Secretary of State and myself. Minutes from those meetings are not available on the grounds that advice to Ministers is protected. In addition, the meetings covered commercially confidential information.

Bain Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the most recent timetable is for the completion of Sir George Bain's review into the issues facing the Royal Mail; what steps his Department will take following the review; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: Sir George Bain is advising the Secretary of State on Royal Mail matters. He is providing ongoing advice and there is no expectation that his work will be pulled together in a single report. As I said to the House in July our ambition is to have a publicly owned Royal Mail fully restored to good health, providing customers with an excellent service and its staff with rewarding employment. Postcomm's price control settlement expected soon will be significant in this context. There is no set timetable for Sir George's work or for follow up by my Department.

British Nuclear Fuels

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether British Nuclear Fuels Ltd will be permitted to sell its Westinghouse subsidiary before the energy review has reported.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The energy review will be examining a wide range of options for helping the UK meet our medium and long-term energy goals, including the potential role of a number of generating technologies such as civil nuclear power. The energy review will be bringing forward proposals next yearno decisions have been taken at this time and it is important the Government does not pre-empt the outcome of the review. Decisions on the sale of Westinghouse have no relevance to the energy review and are being taken independently according to its own timetable.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the fire at Buncefield oil depot on the price of domestic heating oil.

Malcolm Wicks: Buncefield is a distribution terminal not a refinery; hence there is no change to UK fuel output as a result of the fire. The Government and oil industry have been working closely to ensure petroleum products are supplied to market via one of the other 50 major UK oil storage terminals, thereby reducing the potential impact on the price of heating oil and other petroleum products.

Business Links/Gloucestershire First

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support his Department provides to (a) Business Links in Gloucestershire and (b) Gloucestershire First; and what proportion of the total funding of each organisation his Department's funding represents.

Alun Michael: In 200506, the DTI, through the South West RDA will provide a total budget of 1,827,865. Business Link Gloucestershire total estimated income for 200506 will be 5,748,156. Business Link Gloucestershire also expects to receive a further 1,105,415 through the RDA Single Pot mechanism to fund region-specific projects. Some of these may have a DTI origin, but will also include funding from other Government Departments.
	Gloucestershire First receives no direct DTI funding, however it has been supported through the RDA Single Pot. In 200506 it is expected to receive 98,000 against total projected funding of 330,000.

Civil Servants

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which civil servants from his Department are working on the energy review; which (a) civil servants and (b) employees of non-governmental organisations have been seconded to work on the review; which private sector consultants have been engaged to participate in the review; and what the reason is for the involvement of each.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 December 2005
	I lead the energy review, which will be taken forward by a cross-departmental team.
	(a) The review team is still being formed. It will be based in DTI, with secondees from DEFRA, Department for Transport, HM Treasury and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. In addition there will be input from ODPM and FCO.
	The devolved administrations and territorial departments are already involved and will continue to be involved throughout the course of the review.
	(b) The review team will draw on expert support and analysis both within and outside Government. This will include expert advice from academia, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.

Electricity

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity in kilowatt hours was exported from sources in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland in 200405; and what percentage was from (i)fossil fuel sources broken down by (A) oil, (B) coal, (C) gas and (D) other, (ii) hydroelectric sources, (iii) nuclear electricity sources, (iv) other types of renewable sources excluding hydro and (v) other electricity sources production.

Malcolm Wicks: The total amount of electricity exported by the UK in 2004 was 2,294,000,000 kWh (2,294 GWh). In the first half of 2005 electricity exports totalled 1,490 GWh.
	Disaggregated data are not available in the form requested.

Electricity

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the electricity (a) production and (b) consumption expressed in annual electricity generated in kilowatt hours was for (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions and (iv) Northern Ireland in 200405; and what percentage was (A) fossil fuel electricity production, broken down by (1) oil, (2) coal, (3) gas and (4)other, (B) hydro electricity production, (C) nuclear electricity production, (D) other types of renewable production excluding hydro and (E) other electricity sources production.

Malcolm Wicks: Electricity production by English region is not available, because data are collected on an aggregated basis by company, who may have power stations in more than one region. However, data on generation of electricity by fuel for all generators in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England are as follows.
	
		2004 -- GWh
		
			 Fuel source Scotland Wales England(14) Total UK 
		
		
			 Coal 13,054 7,234 111,723 132,011 
			 Oil 2,262 50 2,603 4,915 
			 Gas 11,003 17,100 128,000 156,103 
			 Nuclear 18,013 7,388 54,598 79,999 
			 Hydro 4,546 305 79 4,930 
			 Other renewables 1,308 792 7,717 9,817 
			 Other 786 2,366 4,701 7,853 
			 Total 50,972 35,235 309,421 395,628 
		
	
	(14)Includes Northern Ireland as data cannot be given separately as they disclose commercially confidential information.
	Electricity consumption statistics, for 2004, are as follows:
	
		
			  GWh(15) 
		
		
			 East of England 28,150 
			 East Midlands 24,461 
			 Greater London 40,367 
			 North East 12,708 
			 North West 34,230 
			 South East 41,057 
			 South West 26,707 
			 West Midlands 27,393 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 25,602 
			 Scotland 30,117 
			 Wales 21,738 
			 Northern Ireland 7,558 
			 Unallocated(16) 3,623 
			 UK electricity sales 323,711 
		
	
	(15)To convert to kWh multiply by 1,000,000.
	(16)This is consumption for which there is insufficient information for it to be ascribed to a region.
	The nature of the electricity grid means that you cannot divide consumption of electricity in the English regions according to the fuel used to generate the electricity.

Employment Agencies

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of inspections of employment agencies under the Employment Agencies Act 1973; how many employment agencies have been inspected under the Act in each year since 1975; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The total number of complaints and inspections undertaken by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate since 1996 are as follows:
	
		Complaints/inspections
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199798 1,325 
			 199899 1,360 
			 19992000 1,319 
			 200001 1,124 
			 200102 854 
			 200203 950 
			 200304 1,531 
			 200405 1,504 
		
	
	Data for earlier years are not readily available without excessive cost. Data broken down by sector of the private recruitment industry are not available for the years before 2004.

Employment Agencies

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average period has been between inspections of employment agencies under theEmployment Agencies Act 1973 in each year since 1975.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to assess the average period between inspections. Inspections either follow notification of a complaint to the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate (when a follow up inspection may be carried relatively soon after the initial visit, if breaches of the legislation were identified), or as part of a targeted programme of inspections on the basis of risk.
	Thus, as inspections are not carried out on a routine basis, no meaningful figure is available. The interval between inspections is in fact a factor of complaints received and perceived risk based on the sector(s) and area in which the agency is operating.

Employment Tribunals Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the national targets are for the Employment Tribunals Service; and what the performance of its offices in South Devon has been in relation to those targets.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Employment Tribunals Service has four key performance targets, related to the Employment Tribunals, which have been agreed with Ministers. The Exeter Employment Tribunal office handles claims for the South Devon area.
	
		Percentage
		
			  Target Achievement 200405 Exeter 
		
		
			 Percentage of single Employment Tribunal cases to a first hearing within 26 weeks of receipt 75 82 89 
			 Minimum to be achieved by all offices in relation to above target 65 67 89 
			 Percentage of Employment Tribunal decisions issued within four weeks of the final hearing 85 87 96 
			 Percentage of Employment Tribunal users satisfied with the service offered by ETS 85 95 95.7

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the EU (a) Advisory Committee on the development and reconversion of regions, (b) Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions and (c) Advisory Committee on concentrations between undertakings have taken place during the UK Presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Committee on the Development and Conversion of Regions has met three times during the current UK presidency. The committee is chaired by a Commission representative and its membership is at official level. Each member state has two seats. The DTI, which has co-ordinating responsibility for the structural funds in the UK, always attends and reports on the meetings to all structural funds departments and to the devolved Administrations. An official from ODPM attended two of the meetings. Officials from the devolved Administrations are also invited.
	There were eight meetings of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions during the UK presidency where the UK was represented by the Office of Fair Trading, and the Commission chaired. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments as this is not a devolved issue.
	The Advisory Committee on concentrations between undertakings is chaired by the European Commission. It met twice during the UK presidency and officials from the Office of Fair Trading represented the UK. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments as this is not a devolved issue.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on promotion of innovation and participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), (b) Advisory Committee for co-operation in the field of tourism and (c) Committee on conformity assessment and surveillance of the telecommunications market have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Horizontal Configuration of the Programme Committee of the FP6 Specific Programme, Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area, which considers SME issues, has met three times during the UK's presidency of the EU. Officials from DG Research in the European Commission chaired each meeting. Officials from the Office of Science and Technology represented the United Kingdom. No representatives from devolved administrations attended.
	(b) The Advisory Committee for co-operation in the field of tourism met once during the UK presidency. The Commission chaired and the meeting was attended by an official from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. DCMS always consults the devolved administrations on the agenda and papers for meetings of the Tourism Advisory Committee well in advance of the meeting and makes representations on behalf of the devolved administrations when required.
	(c) A meeting of the Telecommunications Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee took place in July 2005. The Committee was chaired by a representative of the European Commission. Two officials from the Department and one from the Office of Communications attended. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments, as this is not a devolved issue.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries (autonomous regime), (b) Advisory Committee for implementation of the Community market-access strategy and (c) Committee on the implementation of projects promoting co-operation and commercial relations between the European Union and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australasia have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Committee on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries (autonomous regime) is commonly known as the 'Textiles Management Committee'. It met four times during the UK presidency under the chairmanship of the European Commission, and an official from DTI represented the UK. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments, as this is not a devolved issue.
	The Advisory Committee for implementation of the Community market-access strategy met once during the UK Presidency of the EU. The meeting was chaired by the European Commission, and one DTI official attended. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments, as this is not a devolved issue.
	The Advisory Committee on the implementation of projects promoting cooperation and commercial relations between the European Union and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australasia did not meet during the UK presidency of the EU in 2005.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the EU (a) Committee for the management of generalised preferences, (b) Committee for the harmonisation of credit insurance provisions for transactions with medium and long-term cover and (c) Co-ordinating Group for the Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use goods have taken place during theUK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Committee met in Brussels once during the UK presidency on 28 November 2005. The Committee is chaired by the Commission and the UK was represented by the UK Permanent Representation to the EU. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments, as this is not a devolved issue.
	The Committee for the harmonisation of credit insurance provisions for transactions with medium- and long-term cover did not meet during the UK presidency. During the UK presidency, the European Council Working Group on Export Credits met five times in Brussels. Officials from Export Credits Guarantee Department and HM Treasury were present. No provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments, as this is not a devolved issue.
	The Co-ordinating Group for the Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use goods is a Commission chaired Group. The UK is represented by DTI officials. During the UK presidency there were four meetings of the Co-ordination Group, these were held on the following dates: 13 July 2005; 7 September 2005; 3 October 2005; and 9 November 2005. Export control is not a devolved matter therefore devolved governments were not involved in the meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Advisory Committee on standardisation in the field of information technology (Sogits), (b) Advisory Committee on telecommunications procurement (ACTP) and (c) Committee on security of information systems (SO-GIS) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I can confirm that none of the committees listed has met during the UK presidency of the EU.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of colouring matters which may be added to medicinal products, (b) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of cosmetics and (c) Advisory Committee on protection against dumped imports have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present;what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers met twice during the UK presidency. This Committee is chaired by the Commission and an official of the Department of Trade and Industry represented the UK. No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations.
	The Advisory Committee on protection against dumped imports is not recognised under the title given. Matters relating to dumped imports are discussed in the Anti-dumping and Anti-subsidy Committee which met six times during the UK presidency. This Committee is chaired by the Commission and an official of the Department of Trade and Industry represented the UK. Representatives of the Scottish Executive attended the Committee when measures concerning imports of farmed salmon from Norway were discussed.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Advisory Committee on protection against subsidised imports, (b) Advisory Committee on common rules for exports of products and (c) Quota Administration Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Advisory Committee on protection against subsidised imports is not recognised under the title given. Matters relating to subsidised imports are discussed in the Anti-dumping and Anti-subsidy Committee which met six times during the UK presidency. This Committee is chaired by the Commission and an official of the Department of Trade and Industry represented the UK. Representatives of the Scottish Executive attended the Committee when measures concerning imports of farmed salmon from Norway were discussed.
	(b) The Advisory Committee on common rules for exports of products did not meet during the UK presidency.
	(c) The Quota Administration Committee is not recognised under the title given.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings of the (a) Advisory Committee on common rules for imports of products from third countries, (b) Advisory Committee on common rules for imports from certain third world countries and (c) Committee on defence against obstacles to trade which affect the market of the Community or a non-member country have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Advisory Committees on common rules for imports of products from third countries, and on certain third world countries are not recognised under the titles given.
	The Committee on defence against obstacles to trade which affect the market of the Community or non-member country met once during the UK presidency. This Committee is chaired by the Commission and an official of the Department of Trade and Industry represented the UK. No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations.

EU Domain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure British businesses have equal access to the new.eu domain name.

Alun Michael: All organisations with an address in the EU can register a domain name under the new.eu top-level domain. Registrations are made on a first come, first served basis, usual practice for domain name registries. There is a dispute resolution procedure in place.
	Under the current sunrise period, which opened on 7 December, organisations can apply for domain names where they can claim some rights (for example, a registered trade mark).
	The registry responsible for operating the .eu top-level domain (EURID) and the European Commission have ensured reasonable awareness of the introduction of .eu internet addresses. Registrarsthe organisations selling domain names have also advertised availability.
	The domain name market is highly competitive, and it would be inappropriate for the UK Government to promote a particular top-level domain.
	It is for organisations and individuals themselves to decide whether to apply for a .eu domain name.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Export Credits Guarantee Department has held with law enforcement agencies on (a) the impact of its anti-corruption procedures on law enforcement efforts to detect, investigate and prosecute overseas corruption offences and (b) the potential impact of its audit clause on future law enforcement investigations into overseas corruption.

Ian Pearson: ECGD has informed other Government Departments, including the Home Office, and certain law enforcement agencies of its anti-bribery and corruption procedures. ECGD has provided them with the opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to its procedures resulting from the current public consultation and will continue to do so.

Fur Import Ban

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made within the EU on banning the import of cat and dog fur from China into the EU.

Ian Pearson: Within the EU this issue was discussed most recently at the 30 May 2005 Agriculture Council and at a meeting of chief veterinary officers on 6 July. At these meetings, the UK supported the position that the European Commission should explore concerns about the possible import of domestic cat and dog fur to the European Union as well as possible policy responses, including the possibility of a ban.

Glass Industry

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to control the price of gas for the glass industry; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Government policy is not to intervene in the energy market except in extreme circumstances, such as a threat to safety. We take the issue of security of energy supplies, and rising energy prices, very seriously, and are leaving no stone unturned in finding ways to mitigate the impact on customers.
	The Department has been working with the Energy Intensive Users Group, of which British Glass is a member, and Ofgem through the Gas Prices Working Group (GPWG) to develop ideas for improving the operation of the wholesale gas market and ways to mitigate the effects of high wholesale prices. The GPWG has agreed an Action List of short to medium term measures, including maximising UK gas supplies, encouraging demand side response and pursuing energy market liberalisation in the EU.
	In particular, the Department has worked hard to smooth the regulatory path for the construction of major new pipelines from Norway and the Netherlands, as well as two further gas import terminals in Pembrokeshire, all of which will ease the supply situation. Ofgem's Demand Side Working Group is working closely with industry to ensure that any necessary demand-side response is delivered in an efficient, flexible and responsive way. Also, the Government has put a lot of effort into pressing for full liberalisation within the EU, including at the successful Energy Council on 1 December, which I chaired, and this remains one of our key energy objectives. More recently, I have held meetings with the operators of North Sea gas fields, companies using the Bacton-Zeebrugge interconnector and the Isle of Grain gas import terminal to impress on them personally the importance I attach to the facilities operating effectively this winter.

Information and Communication Technology

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry when he will publish the 2005 International Benchmarking Study on the business use of information and communication technology.

Alun Michael: The Department has been reviewing the International Benchmarking Study (IBS) which was sponsored by the DTI until 2004 as a means of monitoring previous targets and has been considering the metrics needed to report against our new National Standard of 'Maintaining the UK's standing as one of the best places in the world for online business'.
	This review has included an analysis of the cost of International Benchmarking Study research and a look at alternative reports/surveys of data such as Eurostat, ONS, Economist Intelligence Unit report and the Network Readiness Index as well as other public/private sources which were not available at the time the International Benchmarking Study was first commissioned. It has been concluded that there are now better ways of monitoring performance and that an International Benchmarking Study (IBS) covering the period 2005 would not offer value for money, and we will give a decision on the data to be produced shortly.

Internet Service Providers

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of internet service providers based in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland.

Alun Michael: Such information is not collected.

Israel

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms exist (a) to monitor whether British firms violate (i) UK and (ii)international law on accepting contracts with Israel which include work in the Occupied Territories and (b) to enforce subsequent penalties.

Ian Pearson: British firms accepting contracts with Israel, which include work in the occupied territories, are not in violation of UK or international law provided they comply with UK export controls.

Mobile Telephones

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of mobile telephones in use in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland.

Alun Michael: Ofcom, the independent regulator for the UK communication industries, estimates in its recent report The Communications Market 2005 that there are around 61 million mobile telephones in use in the UK today. The same report details a breakdown of household penetration of mobile telephony across the UK but does not include specific details across the nations for SME's or large corporates. According to thereport levels of household usage across each of the nations are: England 77 per cent., Northern Ireland 71 per cent., Scotland 68 per cent., and Wales 72 per cent.

Car/Motorcycle Manufacturing Industry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many people were employed in the motorcycle manufacturing industry in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many people were employed in the car manufacturing industry in each year since 1997;
	(3)  what the total value was of sales of (a) new and (b) second hand cars sold in the UK in each financial year since 1997.

Alun Michael: The following table sets out answers to these questions to the extent that data is available.
	For the UK auto industry, employment data is not separately available for car manufacturing, as the total for vehicles also includes commercial vehicles and engines. For completeness, the table also includes employment at component suppliers, although this understates the true size of the UK auto industry as many suppliers to the industry are classified in the statistics according to what they make (e.g. steel, glass). The ONS Annual Business Inquiry does not have employment data for 1997.
	From this data, it can be deduced that UK auto industry productivity is improving, both in terms of cars made per worker per annum, and GVA per employee. These are important measures that indicate continuing improvements in UK's auto manufacturing competitiveness on the global stage.
	As regards registrations data, new registrations are in the public domain and are quoted here. Used vehicle transaction data is normally a chargeable service from DVLA, but SMMT provides used car sales data on request, and this is quoted here.
	Data on the value of vehicle sales, new or used, is commercially sensitive within the industry and not published. However, data is available from ONS on the value added generated by the motor trade and this is quoted here. Again, the value added generated per employee is on a rising trend, indicating continually improving efficiency and competitiveness.
	
		
			  Source 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Employment: vehicle manufacturing ONS n/a 123,000 116,000 106,000 
			 Employment: auto component manufacture ONS n/a 170,000 158,000 157,000 
			 Value added: vehicle, engine and component mfr ( million) ONS 10,811 10,694 9,355 8,089 
			 Cars manufactured (thousand) SMMT 1,712 1,761 1,786 1,641 
			 Commercial vehicles manufactured (thousand) SMMT 224 215 190 172 
			   
			 Employment: motorcycle manufacturing ONS n/a 1,000 1,000 1,000 
			 Value added: motorcycle and manufacture ( million) ONS 22 26 26 39 
			 Motorcycles manufactured (thousand) MCI 15 17 21 26 
			 Employment: vehicle sales ONS n/a 294 294 289 
			   
			 Employment: other motor trade ONS n/a 253 261 264 
			 Value added: vehicle sales and motor trade ( million) ONS 16,421 16,224 17,512 16,807 
			   
			 Registrations: cars (thousand) DETR 2,170 2,247 2,197 2,221 
			 Registrations: CVs (thousand) DETR 274 295 288 298 
			 Registrations: motorcycles (thousand) DETR 122 144 168 183 
			 Car changes of ownership (thousand) SMMT 5,300 5,800 n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			  Source 2001 20025 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Employment: vehicle manufacturing ONS 94,000 95,000 91,000 89,000 
			 Employment: auto component manufacture ONS 152,000 148,000 143,000 132,000 
			 Value added: vehicle, engine and component mfr ( million) ONS 9,138 9,126 8,925 9,855 
			 Cars manufactured (thousand) SMMT 1,493 1,630 1,658 1,647 
			 Commercial vehicles manufactured (thousand) SMMT 193 191 189 209 
			 Employment: motorcycle manufacturing ONS 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 
			 Value added: motorcycle and manufacture ( million) ONS 54 92 101 38 
			 Motorcycles manufactured (thousand) MCI 30 15 32 26 
			   
			 Employment: vehicle sales ONS 277 280 277 276 
			 Employment: other motor trade ONS 275 264 281 276 
			 Value added: vehicle sales and motor trade ( million) ONS 18,911 20,313 21,876 22,296 
			   
			 Registrations: cars (thousand) DETR 2,459 2,563 2,579 2,567 
			 Registrations: CVs (thousand) DETR 313 322 364 390 
			 Registrations: motorcycles (thousand) DETR 177 162 157 134 
			 Car changes of ownership (thousand) SMMT 6,700 7,100 7,500 7,700

Nuclear Power

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what pricing arrangements pertain to electricity produced from nuclear power stations, with particular reference to arrangements made under the non-fossil fuel obligation.

Malcolm Wicks: There are currently no special pricing arrangements pertaining to electricity produced from nuclear power stationsthey sell their output to the wholesale electricity market in the same way as other generators. The nuclear industry in England and Wales ceased to benefit from guaranteed subsidies provided under the non-fossil fuel obligation in 1998 following the privatisation of British Energy.

Nuclear Power

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the export of material for corrosion resistant cladding of uranium oxide fuel in nuclear reactors is subject to export controls; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The raw material normally used for this purpose is zirconium alloy containing an especially low amount of hafnium. Low-hafnium zirconium, alloys containing more than 50 per cent. zirconium and zirconium compounds are subject to control for exports to destinations that are not member states of the EU underentry 1C234 of Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) 1334/2000 (the EC Regulation), as amended. Tubes manufactured from low-hafnium zirconium or zirconium alloy, specially designed for cladding uranium oxide fuel, are controlled to all destinations under entry 0A001f of Annexes I and IV to the EC Regulation, as amended.

Nuclear Power

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of carbon dioxide released from the production of nuclear fuel was in each year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on UK emissions of carbon dioxide is contained in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which is compiled and maintained by the National Environmental Technology Centre. From the inventory it is not possible to separately identify carbon dioxide emissions from the production of nuclear fuel. No carbon dioxide is emitted from the generation of electricity from nuclear fuel.

Operating and Financial Reviews

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Operating and Financial Reviews.

Alun Michael: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 177WS.

Petroleum Supplies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for the security of supply of the proposed India, Pakistan and Iran petroleum pipeline.

Malcolm Wicks: The Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline was one of three gas pipeline importation projects approved by the Indian Cabinet in February.
	The pipeline, construction of which is due to commence by mid-2007 with the first gas delivered by the end of 2010, will have to overcome significant security and operational challenges if it is to be successful. These include its proposed length and route, which will take it through the troubled Pakistani province of Balochistan. Discussions, including on how best to secure the pipeline, are under way between the interested parties and I understand that senior Indian and Pakistani petroleum officials announced in New Delhi on 17 December that experts from their countries and Iran will hold their first tripartite meeting in Tehran in early February 2006.

Pipelines

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the length in kilometers is of pipelines for (a) crude oil, (b) petroleum products, (c) natural gas, (d) liquefied petroleum gas products, (e) refined products and petrochemicals and (f) other oils, gases or chemical products in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) the offshore UK sectors subject to (A) Scots law, (B)Northern Irish law and (C) the law of England and Wales.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not held centrally and to compile it would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. However, the Department does provide information on major UK offshore oil and gas pipelines with details of length, diameter and the material conveyed which can be found on http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/information/bb_updates/appendices/Appendix14.htm The total length of the offshore pipelines listed is 12,396.09 km.
	The most detailed source of information on the mainUK onshore gas pipelines should be available from national gridoperator of the National Gas Transmission System.

Regional Development Agencies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much each regional development agency in England has budgeted for in 200506 (a) in total, (b) for administration and (c) for staffing.

Alun Michael: The 200506 figures for budget, administration and staffing for the nine regional development agencies are set out in the table:
	
		 million
		
			  Total budget Non-pay admin expenditure Staffing expenditure Total admin expenditure 
		
		
			 Advantage West Midlands 272 5.920 14.080 20.000 
			 East of England development agency 129 2.400 8.800 11.200 
			 East Midlands development agency 156 6.000 9.000 15.000 
			 London development agency 373 10.200 19.300 29.500 
			 North West development agency 382 19.717 19.075 38.792 
			 One North East 240 3.150 19.350 22.500 
			 South East England development agency 157 5.850 12.150 18.000 
			 South West regional development agency 153 7.130 12.643 19.773 
			 Yorkshire Forward 295 5.888 13.622 19.510 
			 Totals 2,157 66.255 128.020 194.275

Regional Development Agencies

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the (a) in principle and (b) committed funding decisions of the regional development agencies are published.

Alun Michael: The spending plans of England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are set out in their corporate plans for the period 2005 to 2008. The RDAs consulted widely with all interested parties about the development of their corporate plans and have published the plans on their websites. There is no requirement on RDAs to publish decisions in relation to individual projects.

Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate the European Commission's impact study made of the cost of compliance with the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive for an average paper mill;
	(2)  what the estimated cost impact on paper mills is of complying with the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive;
	(3)  whether recycled paper made from waste materials would be subject to the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals requirements as set out in the UK compromise text;
	(4)  whether, under the proposals in the latest UK presidency compromise text on the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive, waste paper recyclers would be required to test every batch of waste paper collected;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK compromise text on the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive on the recycled paper market in the UK;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the likely impacton the UK's compliance with the landfill directive if the UK compromise text on the Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Directive is adopted.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The European Commission's impact assessment estimated the cost of compliance for an average paper mill to be 7 million per year. This however was based on the Commission's original proposal and the scenario of a notification of a substance in magazine paper as an article.
	The compromise text agreed under the UK presidency at Competitiveness Council on 13 December 2005 amended the notification requirements to only those that contain substances of high concern in quantities of over 1 tonne per year and where they are present over a concentration of 0.1 per cent. weight by weight. This will greatly reduce the burden on the paper industry and avoid having to test every batch of waste paper collected.
	The agreed compromise text also makes it clear that wasteas defined in Council Directive 75/4222/EECis exempt from the REACH regulations. This will minimise any impact on recycling and compliance with the landfill directive.

Research and Development

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what value of (a) research and development grants and (b) SMART awards were made in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in each year since 199899.

Alun Michael: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The number and value of SMART and grant for research and development offers in Newcastle upon Tyne since 199899 is shown in the following table. The legacy SMART scheme closed to new applications in 2003.
	
		
			  Grant for research and development SMART 
			  Number Value () Number Value () 
		
		
			 199899   11 469,774 
			 19992000   11 1,074,083 
			 200001   4 211,650 
			 200102   6 1,166,694 
			 200203   8 325,000 
			 200304   6 335,454 
			 200405 4 348,651

Research and Development

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1484W, on research and development, what the total value was of the grants in each region set out in the tables.

Alun Michael: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The total value of grant for research and development awards since the product's introduction in June 2003 is shown in the following tables:
	
		Value of grant for research and development offers 200405 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Research Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 198,926 1,777,014 3,309,986 500,000 
			 East Midlands 20,000 712,592 964,615  
			 London 53,869 1,976,920 1,826,819 841,100 
			 North East 81,598 391,673 2,026,783  
			 North West 100,000 1,098,120 3,468,606 746,930 
			 South East 208,221 751,946 1,906,406 591,286 
			 South West 114,434 242,638 966,481  
			 West Midlands 77,822 594,287 1,749,070  
			 Yorks and Humber 255,348 1,356,361 1,491,602  
		
	
	
		Value of grant for research and development offers 200304 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Research Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 221,379 2,006,965 1,447,837 2,768,860 
			 East Midlands 248,310 408,190 1,374,605  
			 London 255,426 1,606,297 2,277,796  
			 North East 47,375 75,000 586,899  
			 North West 532,877 1,138,618 1,700,813 246,614 
			 South East 245,671 1,374,582 3,293,215 354,420 
			 South West 226,736 263,849 1,070,319 664,750 
			 West Midlands 130,311 179,736 1,863,070  
			 Yorks and Humber 261,840 906,365 1,952,836 433,890 
		
	
	Information for the legacy Smart scheme is shown in the following tables:
	
		Value of Smart offers 200405 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 
			 East Midlands 
			 London  45,000   
			 North East  77,063   
			 North West  45,000 90,349  
			 South East 
			 South West 
			 West Midlands 
			 Yorks and Humber 
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 200304 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 60,425 3,506,083 1,716,201 626,971 
			 East Midlands 39,425 884,865 874,886  
			 London 15,500 1,844,415 1,347,355 350,000 
			 North East 27,455 834,488 712,854  
			 North West 39,686 2,581,296 1,606,636 404,573 
			 South East 173,528 3,732,705 2,977,328 764,123 
			 South West 65,095 360,000 62,894  
			 West Midlands 15,408 335,540 219,353  
			 Yorks and Humber 44,714 1,557,676 1,480,946  
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 200203 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 118,193 4,566,175 4,698,391 388,690 
			 East Midlands 64,855 1,386,516 2,820,361 661,000 
			 London 177,421 2,106,426 1,534,220 105,000 
			 North East 78,542 1,057,084 382,494  
			 North West 252,419 3,273,547 3,275,242 87,853 
			 South East 220,782 3,168,398 5,159,998 1,336,837 
			 South West 189,068 1,290,119 919,083  
			 West Midlands 5,550 1,083,382 1,302,820  
			 Yorks and Humber 268,488 1,608,495 2,610,216 300,000 
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 200102 -- 
		
			 Region Micro Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 44,652 2,076,248 2,732,858  
			 East Midlands 170,171 967,559 802,149  
			 London 65,900 1,112,499 573,429  
			 North East 10,000 613,473 103,080 435,267 
			 North West 135,879 3,119,975 2,568,000  
			 South East 107,438 3,037,073 1,826,697 1,260,924 
			 South West 247,658 852,142 2,027,623 450,000 
			 West Midlands 122,719 1,404,636 1,263,214 300,000 
			 Yorks and Humber 128,223 1,967,778 2,886,899  
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 200001
		
			 Region Micro Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East  1,665,938 1,878,378 450,000 
			 East Midlands  1,083,564 841,345  
			 London  305,007 547,319  
			 North East  313,584 228,246  
			 North West  1,623,187 2,179,788  
			 South East  2,006,380 2,801,279 777,945 
			 South West  657,716 966,222  
			 West Midlands  1,457,471 1,028,180  
			 Yorks and Humber  1,138,482 2,158,852  
			 Centrally administered(17) 1,016,651   3,214,000 
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 19992000 -- 
		
			 Region Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 1,899,994 1,481,016  
			 East Midlands 758,301 1,355,508  
			 London 453,154 176,374  
			 North East 833,060 847,690  
			 North West 632,374 597,661  
			 South East 1,010,587 1,592,949  
			 South West 939,265 821,632  
			 West Midlands 1,331,092 466,068  
			 Yorks and Humber 1,402,824 1,733,433  
			 Centrally administered(17)   1,034,000 
		
	
	
		Value of Smart offers 199899 -- 
		
			 Region Feasibility Development Exceptional 
		
		
			 East 1,210,635 1,643,736  
			 East Midlands 1,114,713 1,473,796  
			 London 538,575 835,044  
			 North East 697,562 509,519  
			 North West 709,192 1,447,840  
			 South East 1,498,416 1,689,782  
			 South West 1,053,572 1,476,502  
			 West Midlands 1,385,675 1,146,625  
			 Yorks and Humber 1,639,249 1,766,283  
			 Centrally administered(17)   1,132,399 
		
	
	(17)Prior to August 2000, Exceptional projects were administered centrally by SBS.

Shopping Fraud

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what awareness campaigns his Department is running about internet shopping fraud during the Christmas shopping period; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There is already information available from Consumer Direct Online about how to shop onlinesafely and how to avoid being a victim of fraud. Their website address is www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/general/internet.
	The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 protect consumers against payment card fraud including credit cards. The regulations apply to contracts made at a distance including online ones. The card issuer is required to reimburse consumers the full amount in the event of fraudulent use of the consumer's card.
	The Government have been involved in the development of Get Safe Online at www.getsafeonline.org. This project is an alliance of public and private sector, which brings together a number of UK Government Departments and law enforcement organisations with a number of high profile private sector companies to provide a free, public service. This campaign, launched on 27 October, is targeted at micro business and consumers and is primarily aimed at educating internet users in safer and more secure use of computers and the internet.
	The Home Office also created, and maintains the 'e-tailing mini site', which forms part of the crime reduction website. The mini site www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/fraud/preventationadvice provides information to help both businesses and consumers protect themselves specifically when using the internet.

Unscrupulous Lending

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken to protect vulnerable groups in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Wakefield district and (c) Normanton from unscrupulous and unfair lenders.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Consumer Credit Bill will improve the regulation and monitoring of consumer credit businesses and extend protections, rights and means of redress for consumers against unscrupulous lenders across the UK.
	The DTI has also commissioned research into the scope and extent of illegal money lending in the UK and is considering how to build on the lessons learnt from the pilot scheme on enforcement against illegal money lenders.
	A 36 million development fund is also being set aside for third sector lenders as an alternative source of credit for those most at risk. This will help credit unions grow so that they can offer a more widely available alternative to unscrupulous lenders.
	Finally, the Financial Inclusion Fund includes 45 million to increase face-face debt advice capacity, with particular regard to the needs of financially excluded consumers.

WTO Ministerial Meeting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the European Commission's negotiations on (a) the World Trade Organisation's agreement on trade in services and (b) non-agricultural market access prior to the forthcoming WTO Ministerial meeting in Hong Kong.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement to the House made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry today.

Zirconium Silicate (Iran)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1677W, on zirconium silicate (Iran), what the process is by which potential exports of zirconium silicate are identified for the case-by-case consideration referred to; and who is responsible for identifying whether the material in question is to be used in connection with a weapons of mass destruction programme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The Export Control Organisation (ECO) in DTI determines whether the goods are on the Control Lists and if not, whether an export licence may still be required under the WMD end-use control (depending on the end-user). ECO is ultimately responsible for this judgment, but will usually seek advice from relevant other Government Departments. If the goods are assessed as licensable, a judgment will then be made about whether a licence should be granted.

TREASURY

Asset Register

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has given to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the production of a publicly available asset register.

John Healey: Section 23.3 of Government Accounting 2000 www.government-accounting.gov.uk provides Departments, including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, with guidance for maintaining asset registers. Government Accounting 2000 does not mention whether Departments should make asset registers publicly available, and it is for each Department to decide.

Asset Register

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has given to other Government Departments on acceptable time limits for the production of asset registers at the end of each financial year; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Section 23.3 of Government Accounting 2000 www.government-accounting.gov.uk provides Departments with guidance for maintaining asset registers. Departments are expected to maintain and update asset registers continuously. Government Accounting 2000 does not set any specific time limit for the production of asset registers at the end of each financial year.

Cancer/Heart Disease Deaths

Brian Jenkins: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the death rate was for (a) cancer and (b) heart disease in (i) the West Midlands, (ii) Staffordshire, and (iii) Tamworth constituency in the last period for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Jil Matheson, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the death rate was for (a) cancer and (b)heart disease in (i) the West Midlands, (ii) Staffordshire, and (iii) Tamworth constituency in the last period for which figures are available. I am replying in her absence. (37824)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2004 and these are given in the table below. As population estimates are not available for parliamentary constituencies, figures are provided for the two local authorities, Tamworth and Lichfield, which constitute the constituency requested.
	
		Death rates(18) from cancer and coronary heart disease(19) for West Midlands Government Office Region, the county of Staffordshire(20) and the local authorities of Tamworth and Lichfield(21)2004(22) -- Death rates per 100,000 population
		
			  Cancer Coronary heart disease 
		
		
			 West Midlands 180 111 
			 Staffordshire 182 111 
			 Tamworth 192 115 
			 Lichfield 194 100 
		
	
	(18)Rates per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.
	(19)The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).
	The codes used are listed:
	Cancer (malignant neoplasms)ICD-10 C00-C97
	Coronary heart diseaseICD-10 120125
	Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.
	(20)The current county of Staffordshire. This excludes Stoke-on-Trent which became a unitary authority in 1997.
	(21)Usual residents of these areas.
	(22)Deaths registered in 2004.

Common Agricultural Policy Document

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Department began production of the document 'Vision for a Changed CAP'; which sections of his Department were involved in this work; what the names of the lead officials who contributed to its production are; and from whom outside Government views were sought.

John Healey: The paper 'A Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy' was a joint publication by HM Treasury and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. CAP reform has been under continual consideration by the Government for many years, with documents published and views from a wide range of stakeholders considered at many stages; the paper draws on that work. The paper presents for debate a vision for what a sustainable model of European agriculture might look like in the future and the Government looks forward to engaging in a wide and constructive discussion.
	The teams in HM Treasury which were principally involved in this work were the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Team in the Public Services Directorate and the EU Policy Team and the International Poverty Reduction Team in the Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance Directorate. The Civil Service yearbook contains details of lead officials.

Compensation Settlements

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether compensation settlements made with companies working for his Department are tax deductible.

Dawn Primarolo: A compensation payment made by a company for the purposes of its trade which is not for infraction of law or by way of a penalty will generally be tax deductible provided that it is not capital in nature.

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many secondees there have been to his Department from consultancy firms, including the BigFour accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

John Healey: The number of secondees to HM Treasury from consultancy firms in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  Secondees 
		
		
			 2003 4 
			 2004 5 
			 2005 5 
		
	
	Seven have been employed in the Finance, Regulation and Industry Directorate; six in the Budget and Public Finance Directorate; and one in the Government financial Management Directorate.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) and Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1571W. The equivalent information in relation to each of the other bodies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on advertising by (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) each independent statutory body, organisation and body financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr.Burstow) and the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) on 6 July 2005, Official Report, column 433W. The equivalent information in relation to each of the other bodies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by his Department for use in London headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

John Healey: None.

Departmental Staff (Chronic Back Pain)

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives are being taken in his Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

John Healey: The Treasury follows the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive on seating and back problems.
	Staff are encouraged to seek medical advice from their general practitioner and those with persistent problems are advised by our occupational health provider.
	The Treasury also encourages staff to adopt a healthy work/life balance through the promotion of on site exercise.

Employment Rates

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage employment rate for the working age population was in (a) June to August 1999 and (b) June to August 2004 in each local authority area, listed in descending order according to the difference between the two figures.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Jil Matheson, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment. I am replying in her absence.(38270)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of employment from the Labour Force Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions. I am placing a table in the House of Commons Library showing employment rates for people of working age for all local authorities in Great Britain, for the 12 month periods ending February 2000 and December 2004, listed in descending order of the difference between the two rates.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Changes in the estimates from year to year should be treated with particular caution.

EU Budget

John McFall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the UK's contribution to the EU budget will be in each year from 2007 to 2013 under the recently agreed budget.

Gordon Brown: The estimated extra costs will be 500 million (0.09 per cent. of public spending) in 200708, zero (0 per cent.) in 200809, 1.0 billion (0.16 per cent. in 200910, and between 1.6 billion and 1.9 billion (0.23 per cent. and 0.26 per cent.) each year between 201011 and 201213.
	The fiscal forecast will be updated as usual at the Budget.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Contact Committee on combating money laundering and (b) Insurance Committee have taken place during the UK Presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Money Laundering Contact Committee met three times during the UK Presidency of the EU. The European Commission is the chair of the committee. At the first two meetings (on 5 July 2005 and 27 September 2005) UK Government officials from HM Treasury represented and led for the UK. For the final meeting of the year on 23 November 2005 officials from both HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority attended for the UK.
	The European Commission has established a new organisational structure for financial services committees. As a result the Insurance Committee has been replaced by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Committee (EIOPC). The committee is chaired by the European Commission.
	Treasury officials usually represent the UK at EIOPC meetings although HM Treasury may ask the Financial Services Authority to attend alongside its officials to provide technical assistance. There has been one EIOPC meeting during the UK Presidency of the EU, on 2 December 2005. On this occasion, one official from HM Treasury and one official from the Financial Services Authority attended the meeting.
	In preparation for the meetings of these European committees, the Government consults as necessary with all interested parties. Devolved Administrations are also consulted before the UK agrees to any major European policy decisions.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) Advisory Committee on state aid for the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC treaty to certain categories of horizontal state aid (exemption), (b) Advisory Committee on state aid on the arrangements for applying Article 93 of the EC treaty (procedure) and (c) Banking Advisory Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	There have been three European Commission convened multilateral meetings on state aid with member states over the course of the UK presidency: to discuss the draft regional aid guidelines 200713; to discuss the Commission's innovation and state aid communication; and the follow up to the council conclusions on state aid.
	These were chaired by the Commission, and the UK delegation was led by DTI, and in the case of the latter multilateral, HMT also attended as part of the UK delegation. Representatives of OFT attended the meeting as guests of the Commission (they presented at the meeting) but were not part of the official UK delegation.
	While the Commission has exclusive competence in the area of state aid, and it is a reserved matter for the UK Government, we do consult extensively with colleagues in the devolved administrations, and for these meetings the UK line was agreed prior to the meetings, the outcomes of which were reported back to the devolved administrations.
	With respect to the third part of the question, the Commission has established a new organisational structure for financial services committees. As a result the Banking Advisory Committee has now become a Lamfalussy Committee. It has been renamed as the European Banking Committee (EEC). EBC is chaired by a senior official from the Commission.
	There have been two EEC's during the period of the UK presidency of the EU. The UK was represented by two officials from HM Treasury.
	Financial services is a reserved matter for the UK Government and Treasury officials represent the UK at EBC meetings. HM Treasury has regular contacts with significant financial services centres throughout the UK to inform the position of the UK at these meetings.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all benefits paid to UK nationals since 1991 from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's pension schemes have been subject to UK income tax.

John Healey: A payment made by the bank from the bank's funds to enable a retiring employee to purchase a pension is, as an emolument of his employment, exempted from UK income tax by paragraph 14 of Statutory Instrument 1991 No. 757 (The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Immunities and Privileges) Order 1991). Retirement income arising from the investment of the payment is liable to income tax in the normal way.

External Contractors

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the research commissioned externally by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in the last year for which information is available; which external contractor was commissioned in each case; what the cost was of each research project; how long it took to complete each project; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Fuel Duty

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequerhow much has been raised in fuel duty in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) diesel and (b) petrol.

John Healey: Historic duty revenue for diesel and petrol can be found on page three of the HM Revenue and Customs Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which can be found on a HMRC website at: http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bullhydro

Fuel Duty

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the rates of duty for each year since 1997 for (a) low sulphur diesel and (b) rebated diesel fuel.

John Healey: Historic rates of duty for low sulphur diesel and rebated diesel fuel can be found on page 4 of the HM Revenue and Customs Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which is available on the HMRC website at: http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bullhydro.
	The effective rate of duty on rebated diesel fuel has been increased by 1.22 pence per litre from midnight on pre-Budget report, 5 December 2005.

Fuel Duty

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the illegal trade in rebated diesel fuel (a) in each year since 1997 and (b) in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK oils fraud strategy; whether he will publish his findings; what measures he uses to determine the impact of the strategy; how often he reviews the impact of the strategy; and; if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The UK Oils Strategy is assessed annually and estimates of the illicit market share, revenue loss and methodology are published in Measuring Indirect Tax Losses, which is published alongside the PER.
	When the UK Oils Strategy was introduced in 2001 the illicit market was estimated at 6 per cent. (the majority of which is attributed to the illegal trade in rebated diesel fuel) and without the strategic measures the problem would increase by 1 per cent. year on year. The latest estimates indicate that in 2004 illicit market share was 4 per cent. and that HMRC is on track to meet the PSA target of 2 per cent. by 2006.

Fuel Duty

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the duty payable on (a) gas oil and (b) fuel oil in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Historic duty receipts for gas oil and fuel oil can be found on page 3 of the HM Revenue and Customs Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which is available on the HMRC website at: http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm7task-bullhydro

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the introduction of home information packs on (a) the housing market and (b) the UK economy.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no reason to believe that the introduction of home information packs will have an adverse effect on the housing market. These reforms are designed to improve the home buying process by making it more transparent and reducing the current high rate of transaction failure. A more efficient system will have clear benefits for the housing market and the UK economy. The information in the pack will help achieve the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's goal of sustainable home ownership, by ensuring that buyers are not faced with unexpected repairs and other commitments they cannot afford. A more efficient housing market will also facilitate greater flexibility and labour mobility. The partial regulatory impact assessment on home information packs shows that the cost of the new system will be broadly neutral and a copy of this has been deposited in the Library of the House. The only new cost being imposed on the system overall is the cost of a home condition report in a proportion of transactions. Any new and additional costs will be offset by savings from a reduction in wasted costs that are currently running at over 1 million per day.

Infant Mortality

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the infant mortality rate has been since 2002 in each primary care trust in England.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Jil Matheson, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the infant mortality rate in each Primary Care Organisation in England since 2002. I am replying in her absence. (38320)
	The most recent year for which figures are available is 2004. Figures requested for the years 20022004 are given in the attached table which I am also placing in the House of Commons Library.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

John Healey: The Treasury's spending on media monitoring since 200203 is as follows:
	
		000
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 200203 351 
			 200304 391 
			 200405 345 
		
	
	Because of a change in the Treasury's accounting system in 200203, information in relation to the earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

National Minimum Wage

Jim Devine: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies in Livingston were reported via the National Minimum Wage Helpline for failing to comply with national minimum wage legislation in 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: National Minimum Wage statistical data is not disaggregated to constituency level.

North Sea Gas

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the effects of an increase in the supplementary North sea charge to 20 per cent. on future exploration in the North sea continental shelf;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the effects of an increase in the supplementary North sea charge to 20 per cent. on the volume of gas extracted from the North sea continental shelf in the (a) short, (b) medium and (c) longer term.

John Healey: The changes announced in the pre-Budget report were subject to detailed analysis to ensure that the North sea tax regime delivers the Government's objectives of striking the right balance between oil producers and consumers, by promoting investment and ensuring fairness for taxpayers.

Office for National Statistics

Adam Afriyie: To ask Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) whether a racial impact assessment was carried out before the Office for National Statistics (ONS) changed the mid-year population methodology in 2002; and what consultation was undertaken by ONS before making this change;
	(2)  whether he has plans to change the methodology used to determine (a) inward and (b) international net migration for use in mid-year population estimates.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking (a) whether a racial impact assessment was carried out before making changes to the mid-year population estimates methodology in 2002; and what consultation was undertaken before making these changes and (b) whether any changes are planned to the methodology used to determine migration for use in the mid-year population estimates. I am replying in her absence. (38552  38558)
	No significant changes were made to the methodology used to calculate mid-year population estimates in 2002. The estimates published in 2002 were the mid-2001 population estimates and these were the first mid-year population estimates to use the 2001 Census results. The standard 'cohort component' methodology was used, in that Census data were updated to reflect births, deaths, migration, and ageing of the population between the date of the Census and the mid-year point (approximately 9 weeks). In a Census year the mid-year estimates are rebased on the most recent Census before the method is applied.
	The most recent significant change to the way that the mid-year population estimates are compiled was made in 2000, and applies to the mid-1999 and subsequent estimates. This was in respect of the internal-migration component of the population estimates. This change was widely consulted on before introduction. It was extensively peer-reviewed both within the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and by external academic and local authority experts. The then Liaison Group on Population Statistics (now the Central Local information Partnership (CLIP) Population Subgroup) was also fully consulted on the change. This change, in simplified terms, introduced the use of patient records to allocate migration within (former) health authorities instead of electoral roll information. This was widely thought to be a more reliable method for calculating internal migration. This change was documented in Population Trends 101. No specific racial impact assessment was carried out as part of this methodological change. However, consultation confirmed the recommendation that the methodology should be implemented to improve the quality of population estimates.
	A detailed description of the current methodology used to estimate population and the methodology used in a 'Census year' is published in Making a Population Estimate in England and Wales. This document also describes the principal changes that have been made to the methodology over time. The document is published here:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vInk=575
	ONS is currently undertaking a major project to research improvements to migration and population statistics (IMPS). Some of the major strands included in this project are the estimation of international migration at the national level, thesub-national distribution of international migration, and the estimation of internal migration. Currently ONS has no plans to implement significant changes to the methodology used in the calculation of mid-2005 population estimates as research and evaluation is ongoing. (Mid-2005 population estimates are due to be published in August 2006.) However, this current position is subject to possible change. Before any changes are implemented, they will be carefully researched, evaluated and where possible assessed for impact. Any changes will be introduced in a planned manner and they will be announced in advance, in accordance with the National Statistics Code of Practice.
	In response to the Race Relations Act 2000, ONS has published a Race Equality Scheme which is published on the National Statistics Website at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes.asp?term=race+ equalityx=10y=9.

Palestinian Economy

Michael Ancram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his speech at the Treasury and World Bank conference to promote the economy in Palestinian territories, how much new money his Department is making available for this initiative; and what assistance he plans to provide to the private sector firms.

John Healey: HM Treasury does not provide direct financial support to the Palestinian territories. UK overseas aid is provided via the Department for International Development and through the EU. In 200506 total UK contributions will be $108 million.
	As well as co-hosting a conference on 13 December 2005 with the World Bank which focused on Palestinian economic growth through the private sector, the Chancellor has built support under the UK's presidency of the EU for an international loan guarantee scheme to improve access to finance for small firms.

Pay Supplements

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in his Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to his Department of each payment was in 200405.

John Healey: HM Treasury is based in Central London and paid 2,000 p.a. London allowance to 81 staff in SCS Payband 1 during 200405. The total cost to the Department was 208,539 (0.4 per cent.) of the pay bill.

PAYE

Mark Durkan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pay-as-you earn accounts have been transferred out of Foyle House Tax Office in the last three years; to what other offices the accounts were transferred; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Londonderry is one of eight offices forming the Northern Ireland Counties Area. Areas do not keep statistics on the number of individual Pay As You Earn records transferred or where those records are transferred to.

Personal Debt

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average personal (a) unsecured debt and (b) total debt was as a percentage of income in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the average personal (a) unsecured debt and, (b) total debt as a percentage of income in each year since 1997. I am replying in her absence. (38474)
	The information requested is shown in the table below. The data for debt and households' gross disposable income used in the calculations are for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) sectors. The information for the household sector is not available separately. The denominator in the calculations is the population aged 16+.
	
		
			  Average personal unsecured debt (end-year)() Average total debt (end-year)() Average household disposable income () Unsecured debt as a percentage of income (end-year) Total debt as a percentage of income (end-year) 
		
		
			 1997 3,439 12,863 12,311 27.9 104 
			 1998 3,692 13,654 12,696 29.1 107 
			 1999 3,966 14,679 13,255 29.9 111 
			 2000 4,309 15,868 13,960 30.9 114 
			 2001 4,730 17,395 14,774 32.0 118 
			 2002 5,412 19,694 15,151 35.7 130 
			 2003 5,818 22,198 15,777 36.9 141 
			 2004 6,726 25,132 16,198 41.5 155

Personal Debt

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average total personal debt servicing level as a percentage of income was for each year since 1998; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 20 December 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average total personal debt servicing level as a percentage of income was for each year since 1998. I am replying in her absence. (38750)
	The table below shows payments of interest on loans. Capital repayments are not available. The data for income and interest on loans are for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) sectors. Information for the household sector is not available separately.
	
		
			  Interest on loans ( million) Household disposable income ( million) Interest on loans as a percentage of income 
		
		
			 1998 51219 581138 8.8 
			 1999 47434 609734 7.8 
			 2000 52875 646059 8.2 
			 2001 52141 688255 7.6 
			 2002 51513 710144 7.3 
			 2003 53578 744395 7.2 
			 2004 63585 770231 8.3

Police Force Funding

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra funding in (a) cash, (b) real and (c) percentage terms was made available by his Department to (i) the Metropolitan police and (ii) other police forces in England and Wales to fund the policing of international summits, conferences and state visits hosted by Her Majesty's Government since 1997, broken down by event.

Des Browne: The Home Office manage policing for England and Wales and costs for events of this nature are managed within departmental spending allocations. The Treasury has made no direct transfers to forces. However, the Treasury did provide specific funding of 20 million to the Scottish Executive to assist with the policing costs of the 2005 G8 summit in Scotland.

Pre-Budget Report

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the UK economy of taxation changes announced in the pre-Budget report.

John Healey: When developing taxation policy, the Government takes account of a wide range of factors, including economic effects. The Government's approach to taxation balances the need to finance better quality public services, deliver fairness and promote sustainable development and economic activity while at the same time ensuring that the UK benefits from the advantages of being a relatively lightly taxed economy.

Public Relations Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) his Department, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department and other such organisations since May 1997.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Economic Secretary (Mr. Lewis) to the hon. Members for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Penning) and Cheltenham (Martin Norwood) on 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 803W. Further analysis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public-Private Partnerships

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the Government's policy to fundadditional costs arising out of the seven and a halfyear break clause in public/private partnership contracts.

John Healey: Variation mechanisms in PPP/PFI contracts are specific to each contract. Changes in costs from variations to PPP/PFI contracts would be for the account of the procuring authority that has entered into the contract.

Rebated Diesel Fuel

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the timetable is for the re-negotiation of the EU derogation on rebated diesel fuel; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) EU transport Ministers about the re-negotiation of the EU derogation on rebated diesel fuel; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the Government's policy is on the EU derogation on rebated diesel fuel; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The UK does not require a derogation to charge a reduced rate of duty on rebated gas oil. The Energy Products Directive (EPD), however, prohibits the use of rebated gas oil in leisure boats for private use, and the UK enjoys a derogation from this provision. This derogation expires at 31 December 2006 and can be renewed only with the unanimous agreement of the Council.
	Officials from HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs are in regular contact with officials at the European Commission about this matter.
	We have already announced in the pre-Budget report that we are minded to apply for an extension of this derogation. We will issue an initial regulatory impact assessment on the effects of ending the derogation early next year and this document will be the basis for further information gathering and discussions.

Road Haulage Industry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in the road haulage industry in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 December 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of people employed in road haulage. (38648)
	The attached table provides information showing the number of jobs in the road haulage industry for each year from 1997 to 2004; the latest year for which information is available.
	These estimates are from the Annual Business Inquiry and the Annual Employment Survey and, as with any sample survey, are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		Number of employee jobs in the road haulage(23)industry; United Kingdom; 1997 to 2004,
		
			 December Employee jobs (Thousand) 
		
		
			 1997 270 
			 1998 282 
			 1999 277 
			 2000 274 
			 2001 278 
			 2002 260 
			 2003 269 
			 2004 263 
		
	
	(23)SIC code 60.24; freight transport by road.
	Source:
	ABI (19982004) and rescaled AES (1997)

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a case where a tax credit recipient had been toldby HM Revenue and Customs staff on the helpline that the award was correct even though the recipient believed there to be an error would pass the Revenue's test of reasonableness for the writing off of overpayments.

Dawn Primarolo: Where a claimant disputes a tax credits overpayment on the grounds of mis-advice, HM Revenue and Customs can review the call records. In reviewing the call record HMRC would decide whether the claimant had provided the full information to the Helpline advisor at the time of the call that enabled the advisor to provide accurate advice to the claimant. If it is found that a claimant was mis-advised by a Helpline advisor, that overpayment would be written off.

Tax Credits

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) what estimate he has made of the administration costs of research and development tax credits in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the administration costs of vaccines research relief in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him to his previous question on 1 November 2005, Official Report, column 991W.

Tax Returns

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals used the HM Revenue and Customs online service to complete an online self-assessment in each year between 2002 and 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of returns received electronically was:
	
		
			  Year of receipt Self-assessment returns received electronically 
		
		
			 200102 419,236 
			 200203 705,690 
			 200304 1,107,004 
			 200405 1,633,347

Tax Returns

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints he has received on theoperation of the online self assessment tax return form since 6 April 2003; and what measures are in placeto correct problems with the operation of such forms.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has received 19 complaints in connection with the operation of the online self assessment tax return form since 6 April 2003.
	The Online-Services Helpdesk provides support for users of the online self assessment form and takes action to deal with any problems as they arise. In addition, HMRC has a rolling programme to improve and enhance the online service for its customers.

Tax Returns

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a greater range of relevantservices, including increasing the use of public and private partnerships specialising in online self-assessments, to help achieve HM Revenue and Customs target to obtain 35 per cent. of self-assessment returns electronically by 200708.

Dawn Primarolo: There is a delicate balance to be struck between providing a greater range of services, enhance existing services, and provide increased capacity and resilience of the online services.
	The Department has worked closely with the public and private sector since the Self Assessment online service was introduced in 2000.
	The HMRC Self Assessment online service was created in close consultation with the software industry and in 2003, we advertised in Government Opportunities and encouraged potential Self Assessment filing partners to come forward. Various initiatives have since been established with independent software vendors, payroll companies and financial organisations. Equal prominence is given to third party software products on the Inland Revenue website.
	An advertisement was published in December 2005 in The Banker sought approaches from banks interested in developing innovative methods of enabling their customers to meet tax obligations.

Tax Returns

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps HM Revenue and Customs has taken to encourage UK individuals to file their tax returns on-line; and what further steps are planned.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has encouraged take-up of its online services with an active marketing campaign over the past four years. The online services message is also the predominant message in much of the Department's other marketing activity. For example, the Self Assessment campaign now includes a stand-alone television advertisement focusing on our online services, as well as several print and radio advertising campaigns with the same message.
	Additionally, all paper tax returns promote the use of online filing
	We plan to continue with the specific marketing activities mentioned above. Going forward the Department's plans and activities will be shaped by Lord Carter's Review of HMRC Online Services. This report is expected to be finalised in early spring 2006.

Unemployment

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people (a) are unemployed and (b) were unemployed in March in each parliamentary constituency ranked in order of the percentage change between the two dates.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 December 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions. However for small areas such as parliamentary constituencies, there is no suitable data available for a comparison between now and March 2005.
	However, ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). I am placing a table in the House of Commons Library showing the numbers of JSA claimants for all constituents for March 2005 and November 2005 listed in order of percentage difference between the two figures.
	Changes between the two dates will be affected by seasonal influences which affect different areas in different ways.

VAT

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact of Article49 of the EC Treaty concerning the free movement of services on his Department's proposed policy changes for repayment of VAT under the 8th and 13th EC directives;
	(2)  whether under his Department's proposed policy changes for repayment of VAT under the 8th and 13th directives a hotel invoice made out in the name and address of the employee will be sufficient to allow UK registered VAT payers to deduct as input tax all the VAT which they incur on hotel accommodation for that employee while he is away from his principal place of work on a business trip.

Dawn Primarolo: I have written to the hon. Member about this matter.

VAT

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider reducing the rate of VAT payable on home security measures for those who have been the victims of crime.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 19 December 2005
	A reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent. already applies to certain grant-funded installations of security goods, such as locks, bolts and smoke alarms, for people aged 60 or over and for those in receipt of certain benefits, allowances or tax credits.
	All taxes are kept under review and changes are announced by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process. To date the Government has been sparing in its use of VAT reduced rates and has only applied them when we are convinced that they offer the best-targeted and most efficient support for our social objectives compared with other options.
	Outside the VAT system the Government has taken a number of measures designed to reduce crime and support improvements in domestic security. For example, in 2004 we launched a crime reduction publicity campaign, communicating home security advice across a variety of media to audiences in high crime areas.

Voting Statistics

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population is registered to vote in each ward of each constituency in Wales, listed in descending order for each constituency.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 December 2005
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what percentage of the population is registered to vote in each Ward in Wales. (38272)
	I am placing a table giving the requested information in the House of Commons Library.
	The closest available geography to electoral wards, for which population estimates are available, is Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards. This geography was created for outputs from the 2001 Census and is based mainly on 2003 electoral wards. It is necessary to convert electorate counts to the CAS ward geography and therefore the electorate counts are not necessarily consistent with data published elsewhere.
	The latest available population data available at ward level is for mid-2002, published in April 2005. The ward electorate counts are for December 2002 parliamentary electors, including attainers. No adjustment has been made to reflect the difference between these two timepoints. There are a number of wards that are split by parliamentary constituency i.e. they fall within two or more parliamentary constituencies. These are shown by an asterisk * alongside their ward name, and appear under both constituencies (except where the split is across the English/Welsh border). Electorate and population figures for the whole ward are shown. Some wards will therefore be double counted. It is not possible to split the data for these wards.
	There are a number of limitations with the data that mean that some care should be taken with interpretation of the results.
	There is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. In addition, people can register in more than one place.
	The population data are estimates and as such are subject to a margin of confidence. This margin of confidence is proportionately larger for ward level estimates than for local authority level estimates. These estimates have been published with the status of experimental statistics. Therefore, the estimates, and figures derived from them, should be treated with some care.
	Finally, there a number of other definitional differences between electorates and population estimates. Population estimates include all those usually resident irrespective of nationality, whereas the parliamentary electorate excludes foreign nationals (but Commonwealth and Irish citizens are included). Overseas electors are included in electorate data but not population estimates. Comparable ward counts of local government electors are not readily available.
	There is a relatively small number of wards (11) where the electorate counts are more than 10 per cent. greater than the population estimate. The majority of such cases are likely to be attributable to a limitation in the methodology used to convert electorate counts to a CAS ward geography, though the other limitations set out above will also have an effect.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

National Audit Office

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission when the National Audit Office last examined expenditure on the BBC website.

Alan Williams: The National Audit Office does not have a general statutory right to examine how the BBC spends licence fee money. However, under an arrangement agreed between the Government and the BBC in 2003, the National Audit Office is undertaking a programme of six value for money reviews, which have been commissioned by the BBC Governors' Audit Committee. The expenditure on the BBC's website is not covered by this programme of reviews.
	Three of the six reviews have been published to dateon the BBC's investment in Freeview, the White City 2 development, and the performance measurement framework for public service broadcasting. The remaining reviews will cover the BBC's overhead definitions, outsourcing arrangements, and risk management.

National Audit Office

Edward Leigh: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if he will make a statement on the Commission's consideration of the NAO's future workspace requirements.

Alan Williams: At its meeting on 13 December the Public Accounts Commission considered a memorandum from the National Audit Office setting out its proposals for securing its future workspace requirements. These had been drawn up taking into account the views expressed during informal discussions between the NAO and myself, as Chairman of the Commission, and the hon. Member for Gainsborough, in his capacity as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.
	The NAO acquired its existing headquarters building in Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1 in 1984 for 11 million, based on a 127 year lease at a peppercorn rent. Its interest in the building is now thought to be worth about 22 million.
	The NAO's case for a significant upgrading of its headquarters accommodation rests on two main factors:
	the partial refurbishment of the NAO's current building in Buckingham Palace Road, carried out prior to their taking occupancy in 1986, will shortly reach the end of its 20-year life expectancy
	a full condition survey of the building in 2003 concluded that the NAO needed to invest significant expenditure in terms of the necessary, and in some cases urgent, renewal of existing elements of the building fabric and services, including the heating and cooling systems, windows, much of the roof covering and other features of a health and safety concern; these remedial works would need to be carried out within the constraints imposed by the listed status of the central core of the building.
	Faced with these conclusions, the NAO has reviewed the options available to it to meet its future accommodation needs, including:
	a programme of restoration and repair of the building in its existing configuration
	a full refurbishment of the building designed to produce a more modern, flexible and efficient workspace, based on open plan principles conducive to flexible team-working
	the sale of the NAO's interest in the current building, and relocation to another site.
	Taking all these options into consideration, the NAO has concluded that a phased programme of refurbishment will provide the best value for money solution, and has approached the Commission both for approval in principle for such a course and for authority to incur expenditure on preparing a detailed design and firm costings.
	The cost of the refurbishment is provisionally estimated at 150 million over 30 years, as against relocation options ranging from 155 to 250 million. The NAO points out, however, that these figures would need to be offset against current annual expenditure on maintaining and operating the existing BPR building of some 4.4 million, which, discounted over 30 years, would equate to about 81 million. So the net cost of all the options should be reduced by that amount.
	Expressed in terms of additional net resource requirements (and thus the direct impact on the NAO's Estimate) the NAO's preferred option of refurbishment of the BPR building produces the following estimated figures for years 1 to 3 (although the breakdown between capital and revenue may well change following detailed planning):
	
		 million
		
			  Year l (200708) Year 2 (200809) Year 3 (200910) Total for years 
		
		
			 Capital 30 15.25 15.25 60.50 
			 Revenue 9.05 7.07 8.78 24.90 
			 Total 39.05 22.32 24.03 85.40 
		
	
	By contrast, the relocation options would involve an initial negative capital expenditure, as the cost of any necessary works would be more than offset by the proceeds of the NAO's interest in the current building. Thereafter, however, the stream of annual costs arising from relocation would be significantly greater than those for refurbishmentreflecting mainly the difference between the current peppercorn and future commercial rents.
	In preparation for the Commission's meeting on 13 December, both the hon. Member for Gainsborough and myself visited the Buckingham Palace Road site. We saw not only the current cramped layout and run-down condition of the building, but also the results of a trial refurbishment and conversion to open plan operation of part of the sixth floor. This reorganisation of the workspace represents a stark contrast with the rest of the building and we understand it has already shown tentative results in terms of improved staff morale and efficiency.
	We reported these findings to the Commission. Having taken oral evidence from the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Assistant Auditor General responsible for the building project, the Commission accepted the NAO's case for a substantial upgrade of its workspace. Specifically, the Commission agreed:
	(i) to approve in principle the NAO's plans to refurbish its Buckingham Palace Road headquarters, subject to project costs being confirmed
	within a reasonable range of the estimates and projections contained in the NAO's memorandum to the Commission;
	in time for submission to the Commission for consideration as part of the NAO's next Corporate Plan, for 200708 to 200910;
	(ii) to authorise the NAO
	to incur expenditure of approximately 500,000 on the preparation of detailed costings for the refurbishment project
	to include provision in its Estimate for 200607 for any of the relevant expenditure falling in that year.
	In order to ensure that the NAO's business case is as robust as possible against other options, the Commission has asked it to carry out a cost/benefit analysis of the option of relocating the headquarters building to a north of England location. We have also asked for a detailed explanation of the NAO's reasons for rejecting the option of relocating to a building of similar age on the Civil Estate in London SW1.
	The NAO's memorandum setting out its case for the refurbishment option, and the transcript of the evidence given by the Comptroller and Auditor General at the meeting on 13 December are available on the Commission website, at www.parliament.uk

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Homes

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable homes were provided by housing associations in (a) Lancashire and (b) Ribble Valley in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The number of affordable homes provided by housing associations in Lancashire and Ribble Valley in each year since 1997, as reported by the Housing Corporation are in the following table. Figures show the number of dwellings provided through the Approved Development Programme, this includes new dwellings built, as well as acquisitions.
	
		
			  Ribble Valley Lancashire 
		
		
			 199798 19 549 
			 199899 16 499 
			 19992000 15 508 
			 200001 34 555 
			 200102 16 350 
			 200203 0 104 
			 200304 0 278 
			 200405 8 198

Arm's Length Management

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to publish the report of the Arm's Length Management Organisation Review Group.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister expects to make the findings from this review group public in the new year.

Buildings (Energy Performance)

Peter Law: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made with training arrangements for building professionals to ensure proper support for monitoring and measuring in buildings required by the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC); whether he expects sufficient skilled building inspectors to be in place when the directive enters into force in January 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: There is a three year derogation period within the directive to apply fully the requirements for energy performance certificates and plant inspection. In the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Press Notice of 13 September, the Government signalled that it proposed to use this derogation as there will not be sufficient numbers of suitably qualified inspectors in place by January 2006.
	We are therefore working with stakeholders to muster a cadre of inspectors to support a phased programme of implementation. The introduction of the home inspection pack in June 2007 and associated training of home inspectors will cover requirements of the directive for the marketed sales of dwellings. We expect to make a further statement on the implementation of the directive in the new year.

Correspondence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 197W, on correspondence, how many letters he wrote in the same time period in (a) 2004 and (b) 2003.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has written over 800 letters from May to November in both 2003 and 2004.

Departmental Assets

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many assets were removed from his Department's asset register between 200304 and 200405.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This information comes from our accounting system, and it will take time to convert this into a suitable user-friendly format. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects this to be completed in January.

Departmental Assets

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister why his Department did not produce a public copy of its asset register for financial years ending (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Departmental Asset Registers were published for the first time in 1997, and again in 2001 aspart of the National Asset Register exercise led by HM Treasury. There is no central requirement for Departments to publish an asset register, and given until recently our relatively small asset base, no business reason for us to do so.

Departmental Assets

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 581W, on the asset register, when he expects his Department's asset register for (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005 to be placed in the Library.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I expect the Register to be made available in the Library of the House before Christmas.

Departmental Policy

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the use of (a) broadcast, (b) print and (c) internet media analysis.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), like other Government Departments, analyses coverage in the press and broadcast media as part of their day-to-day operations. This is an important part of best practice in communications (in both public and private sectors) as it enables us to measure the impact of our communication activities and so helps us manage future activity more effectively.
	Our use of media evaluation is covered by the Government Communication Network central guidance on media evaluation (published at http://www.comms.gov.uk/guidance/media/evaluation.htm). ODPM does not commission formal analysis from external contractors but uses in-house resources to produce summaries of media coverage of issues of concern to the Department.

Departmental Reports

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of (a) print, (b) broadcast and (c) internet media reports undertaken for his Department since 2002.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), like other Government Departments, analyses coverage in the press and broadcast media as part of their day-to-day operations. This is an important part of best practice in communications (in both public and private sectors) as it enables us to measure the impact of our communication activities and so helps us manage future activity more effectively.
	Our use of media evaluation is covered by the Government Communication Network central guidance on media evaluation (published at http://www.comms.gov.uk/guidance/media/evaluation.htm). ODPM does not commission analysis from external contractors but uses in-house resources to produce summaries of media coverage of issues of concern to us.
	Media reports produced by ODPM are internal documents and not in a form which could be published.

Departmental Reports

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost to his Department was of (a) broadcast, (b) print and (c) internet media analysis in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) does not commission formal analysis from external contractors but uses in-house resources to produce summaries of media coverage of issues of concern to the Department. The cost for this activity is covered by the running costs for the directorate and can not be disaggregated. ODPM does commission national and local press cuttings from the Cabinet Office and from a private supplier and the costs of these are as follows:
	
		Costs (000exclusive of VAT)
		
			  200405 200506(24) 
		
		
			 National press cuttings 204.9 110.1 
			 Regional press cuttings 74.6 39.4 
			 Media Monitoring Unit  (subscription to Cabinet Office) 49.0 26.5 
		
	
	(24)1 April to 30 September

Departmental Reports

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has undertaken research into reporting in the (a) broadcast, (b) print and (c) internet media of the hon. Member for Brent, East since 5 May.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No such research has been undertaken.

Departmental Travel

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Jim Fitzpatrick: From the start of the financial year 200506 to 15 December 2005 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister spent 71,735 on taxi travel. Details of location visited are not recorded.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The Minister for Disabled People chairs a cross-government steering group whichincludes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Department for Transport, Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Minister in the ODPM nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the ODI will be myself, as the ODPM Minister with responsibility for equality and diversity issues.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) will report annually to the Prime Minister on cross-government progress in implementing the Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. The first report is due to be published by summer 2006. It will contain an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by the ODI to fulfil its specific responsibilities, which require the active involvement of other Government Departments. It will also include an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by Government Departments to fulfil the responsibilities they have outside of the ODI remit.

e-Enablement

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent on e-enablement of local government services, broken down by local authority.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 November 2005, Official Report, columns 223233W.

Empty Properties

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of empty public sector (a) residential properties and (b) commercial and industrial properties in each Government office region of England.

Yvette Cooper: The number of empty public sector and RSL residential properties by Government office region is shown in the following table. Additionally this is shown as a percentage of all dwellings in the area. Information on the number of empty public sector commercial and industrial properties is not held centrally. These include short term vacancies.
	
		Number of empty residential public sector and RSL properties by Government office region, as at 1 April 2005
		
			  Residential 
			  LA RSL Other public Total public Percentage of public sector stock 
		
		
			 North East 5,200 3,600 400 9,200 3.2 
			 North West 7,700 9,500 900 18,100 3.0 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 7,300 4,200 300 11,800 2.7 
			 East Midlands 5,000 1,500 1,200 7,700 2.4 
			 West Midlands 5,000 5,100 100 10,300 2.2 
			 East of England 3,400 1,500 1,000 6,000 1.5 
			 London 9,600 5,100 1,000 15,700 2.0 
			 South East 3,200 2,900 900 7,000 1.4 
			 South West 2,000 1,500 500 4,000 1.3 
			 England 48,600 35,00 6,300 89,900 2.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Totals may not equal the sum of components because of rounding.
	2.RSL stock figures from live table 115 includes about 100,000 bedspaces. This figure can not be converted to units without assumptions due to form changes.
	Source:
	Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return for LA and other public sector, and the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return (RSR) for RSLs.

Energy Efficiency/Performance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress on energy efficiency has been made in relation to (a) building and (b) planning in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has raised Building Regulations energy efficiency standards in 2002 and 2005 and will do so again in 2006. From next April standards will be improved by around 20 per cent. for new dwellings and up to 27 per cent. for other new buildings to levels that are up to 40 per cent. higher than those in place in 1997. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also working with the construction industry, including building control bodies, to facilitate compliance.
	We published in September 2004 a broad ranging Better Practice advisory document, the Planning Response to Climate Change. This supports the core policy in Planning Policy Statement (PPS)l, Delivering Sustainable Development, published in February 2005, which sets out how Regional Planning Bodies and local planning authorities should ensure that development plans contribute to global sustainability by addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change.

Energy Efficiency/Performance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the 2003 EU directive on energy performance will be implemented.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 December 2005
	In the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) Press Notice of 13 September 2005, changes were announced to the Building Regulations and the implementation of the technical provisions of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. These measures come into effect in April 2006.
	There is a three-year derogation period within the Directive to apply fully the administrative provisions requiring the provision of information. The Press Notice, signalled that Government proposed to use this derogation and work with stakeholders to muster a cadre of inspectors to support a phased programme of implementation.

Energy Efficiency/Performance

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's compliance with the 2003 EU directive on energy performance in buildings; and what level of energy efficiency will have been achieved by 4 January 2006.

Yvette Cooper: I would draw my honourable friend's attention to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's press notice of 13 September in which it was announced changes to the Building Regulations and the implementation of the technical provisions of the EU energy performance of buildings directive. These measures come into effect in April 2006 and will make a major contribution to the UK's commitment to combat climate change delivering increased energy standards of up to 27 per cent. for new buildings. This is on top of significant improvements in energy efficiency in the 2002 changes to building regulations. There is a three-year derogation period within the directive to apply fully the administrative provisions requiring the provision of information.
	We expect to make a further statement on the implementation of the directive in the new year.

EU Flag

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning rules apply to flying the EU flag; and what plans there are to change them.

Yvette Cooper: Under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, the express consent of the local planning authority is presently required to fly the EU flag.
	As previously announced the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will shortly be consulting on new draft control of advertisements regulations which will include a provision which will allow the EU flag to be flown without having to apply to the local authority for express consent. National flags already benefit from this exemption.

Flood Plains (Building)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidelines have been issued on the building of (a) houses and (b) individual premises on flood plains.

Yvette Cooper: Planning policy guidance on development and flood risk is contained in PPG25, published in 2001. It aims to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and to direct development away from areas at highest risk. On 5 December the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued for consultation proposals for a new PPS25 which will strengthen and clarify the policy, and a flooding direction which will provide greater scrutiny for major developments proposed in flood risk areas.

Free Bus Travel Scheme

David Clelland: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have a forecast shortfall in excess of 1 million in relation to allocated funding for the free bus travel scheme following announcement of the local government revenue support grants.

Phil Woolas: Expenditure on concessionary fares is funded via the formula grant settlement. Formula grant is an unhypothecated block grant. This means that councils are able to spend the money on any services. It is not therefore possible to calculate how much funding has been allocated to each authority with respect to concessionary fares. Budget estimates and decisions are for councils themselves to make.

Freedom of Information Act

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received regarding its asset register.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There have been no requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's asset register.

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much land within 1997-designated green belt in each region changed to developed use in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The available estimates are from Land Use Change Statistics, shown in the following tables. The numbers and table titles are unchanged but the units for the tables headed New dwellings within 1997 designated green belt, given previously as hectares, are corrected to dwellings. The order of the tables has also been changed to follow the order of the questions. The estimates for 2003 are provisional and are subject to revision. Figures are not shown for 1999 as the data received for that year were incomplete. Figures for 1997 to 2000 reflect planning policies and decisions made before this Government took office.
	
		Land changing to residential use within 1997 designated green belt -- Hectares
		
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 (a) All on designated green belt
			 North East 3 3 1 2 7 1 0 2 3 
			 North West 51 46 39 60 59 64 43 49 53 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 25 27 21 40 42 28 41 50 46 
			 East Midlands 9 10 13 10 7 20 17 6 9 
			 West Midlands 24 27 29 33 31 38 31 56 35 
			 East of England 40 50 41 37 49 58 68 36 46 
			 London 4 5 6 9 17 16 10 23 15 
			 South East 62 52 49 67 54 75 64 52 55 
			 South West 9 14 8 10 16 14 13 9 9 
			 England 226 234 207 267 281 313 288 283 272 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.014 0.014 0.013 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.017 0.017 0.016 
			   
			 (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed)   
			 North East 2 2 1 2 7 1 0 1 2 
			 North West 26 17 27 36 29 23 17 20 25 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 18 17 15 24 25 21 20 25 22 
			 East Midlands 6 6 4 4 4 6 12 3 6 
			 West Midlands 15 15 19 14 17 22 17 24 14 
			 East of England 11 14 12 10 10 22 13 13 20 
			 London 1 2 0 0 7 6 3 8 4 
			 South East 18 10 12 28 19 28 14 17 13 
			 South West 3 9 4 6 10 7 4 5 2 
			 England 101 93 94 123 127 135 99 115 109 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.007 0.008 0.008 0.006 0.007 0.007 
		
	
	
		Land changing to developed use within 1997 designated green belt -- Hectares
		
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 (a) All on designated green belt  
			 North East 43 20 11 143 18 47 13 21 18 
			 North West 331 329 367 488 401 223 367 142 222 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 253 283 182 481 437 164 131 286 285 
			 East Midlands 65 132 197 97 93 92 102 28 128 
			 West Midlands 173 210 286 130 125 328 155 129 335 
			 East of England 172 183 159 196 238 273 319 169 339 
			 London 19 28 44 95 64 37 125 36 64 
			 South East 228 244 482 395 218 554 309 143 151 
			 South West 48 145 207 58 85 132 75 35 29 
			 England 1,332 1,573 1,935 2,084 1,678 1,850 1,596 988 1,570 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.10 0.11 0.10 0.06 0.10 
			   
			 (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed)
			 North East 14 15 7 109 8 45 6 16 10 
			 North West 197 150 243 315 262 101 237 53 59 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 152 102 75 274 282 60 52 124 133 
			 East Midlands 46 60 160 61 74 70 58 13 60 
			 West Midlands 101 76 143 69 62 67 35 52 266 
			 East of England 83 84 87 150 71 65 90 100 120 
			 London 12 14 19 48 25 14 42 10 31 
			 South East 112 103 104 204 69 389 90 40 57 
			 South West 28 92 160 42 53 91 45 14 8 
			 England 746 696 999 1,273 904 902 656 421 744 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.05 
		
	
	
		New dwellings within 1997 designated green belt -- Dwellings
		
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 (a) All on designated green belt  
			 North East 52 23 22 50 140 19 11 27 70 
			 North West 879 771 730 1,284 1,049 1,350 799 1,019 1,565 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 373 423 316 630 673 508 891 939 815 
			 East Midlands 143 125 181 194 143 297 289 117 120 
			 West Midlands 390 533 474 610 507 731 817 879 653 
			 East of England 552 580 499 479 846 956 1,181 485 795 
			 London 89 153 171 182 441 384 218 405 287 
			 South East 653 733 553 868 802 1,175 950 734 1,053 
			 South West 124 211 109 159 309 271 243 199 163 
			 England 3,255 3,552 3,055 4,456 4,910 5,691 5,399 4,804 5,521 
			   
			 Proportion of all new dwellings (percentage) 2 3 2 3 4 4 4 4 3 
			   
			 (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed)
			 North East 46 20 19 34 128 17 2 19 45 
			 North West 472 285 486 746 486 355 296 329 682 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 289 269 173 336 361 373 462 361 405 
			 East Midlands 93 77 67 93 77 39 148 39 65 
			 West Midlands 220 313 288 276 225 372 462 333 250 
			 East of England 119 134 132 107 135 331 198 145 286 
			 London 56 67 6 3 238 131 72 127 79 
			 South East 172 117 147 301 218 278 134 194 322 
			 South West 53 135 46 93 195 90 32 76 34 
			 England 1,520 1,417 1,364 1,989 2,063 1,986 1,806 1,623 2,168 
			   
			 Proportion of all new dwellings (percentage) 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1

Greenbelt Land

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his planning policy for development of green belt land.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's planning policy in relation to green belt land is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2), Green Belts. Specifically, there remains a general presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt. Such development should not be approved except in very special circumstances, where it can be shown that the harm to the green belt, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations.

Growth Areas Directorate

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions have taken place between officials from the Department's Growth Areas Directorate and officials from the Department for Education and Skills on the provision of a university for north Northamptonshire.

Yvette Cooper: Northamptonshire recently received a boost to its higher education provision when the University College in Northampton gained the Royal Charter and official university status. This is good news for the communities of Northamptonshire who will benefit from the university located at the heart of the county and the university is looking to expand its provision significantly over the next five years. In addition, the Tresham Institute serves the communities of North Northamptonshire, providing Post-16 education, vocational training and a wide variety of adult learning courses. Tresham is also an associate college of De Montfort university, so offers a range of professional and degree level courses. The institute plans to open a new 20 million campus in Kettering in early 2007 as part of a wider programme to renewal all of its campuses by 2010.
	The Milton Keynes-South Midlands sub regional strategy identifies the need to expand higher education resources to serve the increasing education and training needs of the sub-region's population and states that it has a key part to play in the growth of the area. I understand that local growth partners in North Northamptonshire recognise that physical presence by a university is an important element in supporting a broad range of jobs, opportunities and economic development of the area and are in early discussions with education providers to explore how this could be best be strengthened. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would expect to be involved in these discussions at the appropriate stage.

Homebuyers Information Pack

Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to postpone the introduction of the Homebuyers Information Pack; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: It was recently announced that Home Information Packs will become mandatory from 1 June 2007, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to postpone this date. We have listened to views from across the industry, in order to achieve a date that represents the appropriate balance between the various interests. The Government are satisfied that this date provides the time needed to ensure that home information packs can be introduced successfully throughout England and Wales.

Homebuyers Information Pack

Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has commissioned into the likely impact of the home information pack on house prices; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: No specific research has been commissioned on this, as there is no reason to believe that the introduction of home information packs will have a significant effect on house prices. The only new cost being imposed on the system overall is the cost of a home condition report in a proportion of transactions. Together with the rest of the information in the pack, this will help to ensure that house prices are set more realistically and buyers are not faced with unexpected repair bills and other commitments they cannot afford. The reforms are designed to improve the home buying process by making it more transparent and reducing the current high rate of transaction failure. A more efficient system will benefit the housing market and the UK economy.

Homebuyers Information Pack

Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the expected benefits of the Home Information Pack.

Yvette Cooper: The reforms to the home buying and selling process will benefit the home buying process by making it a better experience for the consumer and by creating a more efficient housing market. In particular, packs will:
	Increase consumer satisfactionnearly nine out of 10 consumers are dissatisfied with the present process.
	Increase transparencyat present, key information about the property only becomes available after terms have been agreed.
	Reduce the current high transaction failure rate28 per cent. fail after terms have been agreed.
	Reduce the huge abortive costs for consumersover 350 million spent by consumers on failed transactions.
	Speed up the transaction processsales take twice the time of the European average; HIPs should bring us more into line with overseas experience.
	Improve consumer redressestate agents marketing homes with packs will be required, for the first time, to belong to an approved redress scheme.
	Improve the position for first time buyersthey will receive pack information free, thus reducing the cost of entry into home ownership.
	Support sustainable home ownershipinformation in the pack, on property condition for example, will ensure that buyers are not faced with unexpected repairs and other commitments they cannot afford.
	Create a more efficient housing marketthus facilitating greater flexibility and labour mobility.
	Deliver the European Directive requirement for sellers to provide energy performance certificates to home buyers. The home condition report in the pack will contain an energy efficiency report and certificate. This will assist the delivery of the Government's target of a 20 per cent. reduction in residential carbon emissions by 2010. The energy efficiency report will identify cost effective ways of improving energy efficiency.

Housing

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average weekly rent for a two-bed (a) registered social landlord and (b) local authority property was in each (i) London borough and (ii) English region in (A)2001 and (B) 2005.

Yvette Cooper: The data requested are given in the following tables. On average social rents in London for two bedroom properties in 200405 are 44 per cent. of private sector rents.
	(i) London boroughs
	
		Table 1: Average weekly rent for a two bedroom property: London boroughs --  a week
		
			  Registered social landlord Local authority landlord 
			  2001 2005 2001 2005 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 66.45 72.21 54.67 63.56 
			 Barnet 68.83 77.97 58.26 67.87 
			 Bexley 62.55 68.27 LSVT LSVT 
			 Brent 63.72 76.26 70.28 75.25 
			 Bromley 66.15 74.37 LSVT LSVT 
			 Camden 68.03 82.98 n/a 73.27 
			 City of London 59.32 74.14 64.46 75.95 
			 Croydon 70.25 78.00 n/a 71.15 
			 Ealing 64.99 78.11 65.47 69.07 
			 Enfield 63.85 75.25 69.25 70.14 
			 Greenwich 62.78 73.95 57.10 65.80 
			 Hackney 58.01 70.00 61.04 64.09 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 62.02 74.82 60.75 71.83 
			 Haringey 63.69 73.38 59.87 66.60 
			 Harrow 68.14 75.25 68.85 71.07 
			 Havering 63.02 73.00 49.64 54.76 
			 Hillingdon 68.96 80.50 70.45 77.78 
			 Hounslow 66.78 76.84 57.78 67.81 
			 Islington 60.30 72.30 65.12 71.68 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 59.63 73.50 76.69 82.12 
			 Kingston upon Thames 68.72 85.04 66.32 74.89 
			 Lambeth 58.76 68.83 58.43 69.39 
			 Lewisham 58.82 70.27 57.88 64.75 
			 Merton 66.70 76.19 n/a 67.59 
			 Newham 65.65 77.15 55.52 70.45 
			 Redbridge 69.34 79.70 72.06 73.34 
			 Richmond upon Thames 67.01 75.62 LSVT LSVT 
			 Southwark 60.03 72.56 58.01 65.81 
			 Sutton 67.50 76.86 53.59 n/a 
			 Tower Hamlets 59.03 71.56 68.68 69.50 
			 Waltham Forest 67.29 72.71 65.73 73.95 
			 Wandsworth 66.78 79.90 67.77 84.36 
			 Westminster 69.04 82.10 82.72 92.61 
			 London 63.55 74.49 61.68 69.78 
		
	
	n/anot available due to no return from the local authority.
	LSVTmeans that most of the local authority stock has been transferred to the RSL sector.
	Notes:
	1.Registered social landlord data based on data collected by the Housing Corporation via the annual Regulatory and Statistical Return. Local authority data based on unaudited returns from the Second Subsidy Claim form and are provisional for 2004.
	2.Data are at end March.
	(ii) English regions
	
		Table 2: Average weekly rent for a two bedroom property:English regions --  per week
		
			  Registered social landlord Local authority landlord 
			  2001 2005 2001 2005 
		
		
			 North East 47.40 52.13 39.28 45.27 
			 North West 46.47 53.69 43.73 49.50 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 49.20 50.90 39.87 45.97 
			 East Midlands 50.70 56.82 41.66 48.89 
			 West Midlands 47.96 55.26 42.69 50.31 
			 East Midlands 56.41 62.77 48.60 58.76 
			 London 63.55 74.49 61.68 69.78 
			 South East 61.89 70.39 53.43 62.06 
			 South West 53.87 61.39 45.64 51.32 
			 England 54.43 61.13 47.52 55.26 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Registered Social Landlord data based on data collected by the Housing Corporation via the annual Regulatory and Statistical Return. Local authority data based on unaudited returns from the Second Subsidy Claim form and are provisional for 2005.
	2.Data are at end March.
	3.Local authority regional rents are not adjusted for missing returns from local authorities.

Housing

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many vacant dwellings there were in (a) London and (b) each London borough in each of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) as a proportion of all dwellings.

Yvette Cooper: The number of empty homes in each London borough and London as a whole for each of the last five years both in actual numbers and as a proportion of all dwellings are tabled as follows. These figures include dwellings which are empty for less than six months, some of them for less than one month. Of the 91,900 empty homes in London, 44,300 have been empty for more than six months. From April local authorities will have new powers to bring empty homes back into use.
	
		
			  April 2000 April 2001 
			  Total empty homes Empty as percentage of all properties Total empty homes Empty as percentage of all properties 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,172 3.2 1,328 2.0 
			 Barnet 4,068 3.2 3,114 2.3 
			 Bexley 1,185 1.3 1,982 2.2 
			 Brent 6,174 6.0 5,260 5.1 
			 Bromley 3,718 2.9 4,318 3.3 
			 Camden 4,703 5.1 4,335 4.8 
			 City of London   20 0.4 
			 Croydon 4,130 3.0 4,398 3.2 
			 Ealing 2,308 1.9 2,445 2.0 
			 Enfield 
			 Greenwich 4,541 4.9 3,038 3.3 
			 Hackney 3,970 4.6 3,249 3.8 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham4,138 5.4 4,520 5.9 
			 Haringey 4,417 4.7 4,815 5.1 
			 Harrow 1,231 1.5 1,191 1.5 
			 Havering   2,699 2.9 
			 Hillingdon 2,468 2.5 2,290 2.3 
			 Hounslow 1,903 2.2 1,038 1.2 
			 Islington 2,773 3.3 3,231 3.8 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,715 2.2 6,067 6.9 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,152 1.9   
			 Lambeth 4,639 3.7 2,518 2.1 
			 Lewisham 3,251 2.9 4,025 3.5 
			 Merton 2,310 3.0 2,095 2.8 
			 Newham 4,663 5.2 5,090 5.6 
			 Redbridge 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,629 2.1 1,751 2.2 
			 Southwark 6,917 6.1 6,364 5.6 
			 Sutton 1,243 1.7 2,238 3.0 
			 Tower Hamlets 5,306 6.9 5,425 6.8 
			 Waltham Forest 3,004 3.3 2,629 2.8 
			 Wandsworth 2,314 1.9 2,051 1.7 
			 Westminster 3,063 2.7 2,957 2.8 
			 London 105,016 3.4 105,181 3.4 
		
	
	
		
			  November 2002 November 2003 November 2004 
			  Total empty homes Empty as percentage of all properties Total empty homes Empty as percentage of all properties Total empty homes Empty as percentage of all properties 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,578 2.3 1,798 2.6 1,623 2.4 
			 Barnet 5,093 3.9 3,512 2.7 3,607 2.7 
			 Bexley 2,064 2.2 2,268 2.4 2,161 2.3 
			 Brent 5,559 5.4 2,733 2.6 3,568 3.4 
			 Bromley 3,960 3.1 4,207 3.2 3,825 2.9 
			 Camden 5,093 5.4 3,389 3.6 3,049 3.2 
			 City of London 63 1.3 141 2.6 165 2.9 
			 Croydon 4,611 3.3 4,722 3.4 4,647 3.3 
			 Ealing 3,196 2.7 3,308 2.7 3,416 2.8 
			 Enfield 4,350 3.8 3,577 3.1 4,494 3.8 
			 Greenwich 3,417 3.6 2,922 3.0 3,084 3.2 
			 Hackney 3,783 4.2 3,220 3.5 3,407 3.7 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,015 3.9 3,526 4.6 2,946 3.8 
			 Haringey 3,433 3.6 3,539 3.7 1,966 2.0 
			 Harrow 2,195 2.7 2,462 3.0 1,484 1.8 
			 Havering 2,300 2.4 2,407 2.5 2,568 2.7 
			 Hillingdon 2,791 2.8 3,009 3.0 2,532 2.5 
			 Hounslow 3,510 4.0 1,932 2.2 2,125 2.4 
			 Islington 2,908 3.4 4,020 4.6 2,677 3.1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 4,576 5.4 3,308 3.9 3,064 3.6 
			 Kingston upon Thames 2,169 3.5 2,333 3.8 2,394 3.8 
			 Lambeth 4,488 3.7 5,037 4.1 3,291 2.6 
			 Lewisham 2,832 2.6 3,084 2.8 1,586 1.4 
			 Merton 2,529 3.3 2,593 3.4 1,362 1.8 
			 Newham 3,280 3.5 2,535 2.7 2,645 2.7 
			 Redbridge 2,301 2.4 2,533 2.7 1,992 2.1 
			 Richmond upon Thames 3,497 4.5 3,086 3.9 2,166 2.7 
			 Southwark 3,478 3.0 4,973 4.3 4,439 3.8 
			 Sutton 2,285 3.0 2,234 2.9 2,351 3.1 
			 Tower Hamlets 5,072 5.9 2,669 3.0 2,047 2.3 
			 Waltham Forest 1,984 2.1 2,144 2.3 2,078 2.2 
			 Wandsworth 5,202 4.2 
			 Westminster 4,804 4.2 4,544 4.0 3,974 3.4 
			 London 111,416 3.6 102,967 3.3 91,935 2.9 
		
	
	Source:
	Figures for 2002, 2003 and 2004 are based on ODPM's CTB1 return. For 2001 and 2002 the figures are based on a combination of two sources. ODPM's Housing Strategy Statistical return for all tenure types except RSL and the latter comes from the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Sefton council on its proposal to ballot its tenants on the large-scale voluntary transfer of council housing; and what investigations he has conducted into the conduct of the last ballot.

Yvette Cooper: Ministers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have had no discussions with Sefton council on its proposal to ballot tenants. Sefton council have discussed with officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister the circumstances surrounding their initial ballot. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not undertaken any investigation into the conduct of that ballot. Sefton council have informed officials of their decision to re-ballot tenants on the large scale voluntary transfer of the Council's housing stock.

Housing

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has set targets for the total output of social rented housing for (a) 200506, (b) 200607 and (c) 200708.

Yvette Cooper: Additional funding secured through the Spending Review 2004 will, along with efficiency improvements, provide 75,000 social rented properties over the three years 2005 to 2008, that is, an additional 10,000 homes a year by 2008, a 50 per cent. increase on 200405.

Housing

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what level of social housing grant from the Housing Corporation was required to produce one unit of rented accommodation in the latest period for which the information is available.

Yvette Cooper: In 200405, the national average social housing grant allocated per unit of rented accommodation was 64,325.
	The cost of a unit of social rented accommodation varies widely, dependent on location, size, or type of property, and other issues. The proportion of that cost paid through social housing grant also varies due to a range of factors.

Housing

Paul Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new houses have been built in Hereford since 1997; and what percentage of these are classified as affordable housing.

Yvette Cooper: The information on Hereford alone is not held centrally. Information on housing starts and completions for Herefordshire can be viewed on the housing statistics pages of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. Herefordshire council's Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 200405 published in December 2005 contains information on housing completions for Hereford and on affordable housing for the county. The report is available on the council's website.

Housing

Paul Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of private enterprise building in Herefordshire on the availability of affordable housing there.

Yvette Cooper: No such assessment has been made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This is primarily a matter for Herefordshire council as the local housing and planning authority. Herefordshire council's Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 200405 published in December 2005 contains information relevant to this matter and can be viewed on the council's website.

Housing

Frank Field: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made in his negotiations on the housing market renewal budget for Merseyside for 2006 to 2008.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 12 December 2005
	Merseyside Housing Market Renewal pathfinder has put forward its bid for funding for 2006 to 2008, alongside other pathfinders. All the proposals are being scrutinised and announcements will be made on the budgets for the next phase when that is concluded.

Housing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new residential dwellings will be built in each of the next 20 years in (a) Gravesham and (b) Kent following the Government's response to Kate Barker's review of Housing Supply.

Yvette Cooper: The Government responded to Kate Barker's review of Housing Supply on 5 December, outlining its ambition to increase housing delivery in England over the next decade to 200,000 net additions per year, from current delivery of around 150,000 net additions per year.
	This policy will inform regional and local plans for housing, however the numbers set out in the response represent Government's ambition nationally. Detailed figures at a local level are determined through statutory planning processes.

Improvement and Development Agency

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Improvement and Development Agency.

Phil Woolas: The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) has worked very effectively since its formation in 1997 to support improved performance in local government. Full details of the work of the IDeA can be found on their website at www.idea.gov.uk.

Lifetime Homes Standards

Danny Alexander: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to review the effect of the 1999 guidance on access to dwellings; if he will assess the feasibility of introducing Lifetime Homes standards into building regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The 1999 guidance on access to dwellings is included in the 1999 edition of Approved Document M of the Building Regulations for England and Wales. Building control for Scotland is a devolved matter. A report on the review of the effect of the guidance on dwellings in the 1999 edition of AD M, is expected to be published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website next year.
	Lifetime Homes is to be included as an element of the proposed code for Sustainable Homes, which is currently being developed for new homes in England but could also be applicable in Wales. It is very important that there is progress on increasing take-up of the Lifetime Homes standard. The Government will monitor take-up and review the need for further regulation. The consultation document on the code has now been published and can be found at:
	http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=l162094

Local Government

Peter Bone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to create a unitary system of local authorities for the whole of England; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has taken no decisions about whether there should be any reorganisation of the structure of local government. We are currently engaged in a wide ranging debate about the future role, functions and form of local government and as part of this we have now actively sought views on the present two tier structure. We plan to publish a White Paper on the future of local government in the middle of next year and will make any decisions regarding unitary local government at about the same time.

Local Government

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the Local Government Finance Settlement for (a) 200607 and (b) 200708 on the revenues that will need to be raised through council tax by Norfolk county council in each of those years.

Phil Woolas: Under our proposals, Norfolk county council will receive an above average increase in formula grant of 6.2 million (or 3.8 percent.) in 200607 and 11.9 million (7.1 percent.) in 200708. Grants for specific purposes, which will include the dedicated schools grant where Norfolk will receive 377 million in 200607 and 400 million in 200708, are in addition to formula grant.
	It is for local authorities to set their council tax, not central Government. It has been made clear that, given we have delivered above inflation formula grant increases for local government for ten successive years up to 200708, we expect to see an average council tax increase in England of less than 5 percent. in each of the next two years.
	Authorities which ignore this message could be leaving themselves exposed to the risk of capping action.

Local Government

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what assessment he has made of the (a) likelihood and (b) extent of service reductions in (i) Norfolk and (ii) all shire counties in England following the Local Government Finance Settlement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the funding position of Norfolk county council following the Local Government Finance Settlement; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Consultation on the local government settlement for 200607 runs from 5 December 2005 to 11 January 2006. Details of the proposed financial settlement for Norfolk county council and all other authorities in England are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0607/grant.htm. The provision of local services is a matter for Norfolk and all other county councils themselves, bearing in mind their statutory responsibilities.

Local Government

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what representations he has received on the Local Government Finance Settlement relating to (a) Norfolk and (b) all shire counties in England;
	(2)  if he will meet the leader of Norfolk county council to discuss the Local Government Finance Settlement as it relates to Norfolk county council.

Phil Woolas: The consultation on Government's proposals for the 200607 and 200708 Local Government Finance Settlements runs from 5 December 2005 to 11 January 2006.To date we have received no written representations on the consultation from Norfolk county council or any other shire county.
	I will be meeting a delegation from Norfolk county council on 11 January 2006 to discuss their response to the settlement consultation.

Local Government

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) whether the current mid-year population estimates will be used in the Local Government Grant Settlement for 200607;
	(2)  whether mid-year population estimates were used in the calculation of Local Government Grant Allocations for 200506.

Phil Woolas: Mid-2003 population estimates were used in the 200506 Local Government Finance Settlement issued on 27 January 2005.
	The Government announced the provisional settlements for 200607 and 200708 on 5 December 2005. These have used projections of population in 2006 and 2007 as the dominant data drivers of population in the formulae. These population projections are the 2003-based population projections for 2006 and 2007 produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
	Mid-2004 population estimates have been used within indicators used in the calculation of top-up formulae.

Marine Bill

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement with preparations for the Marine Bill.

Yvette Cooper: Preparation of a consultative draft Marine Bill is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is one of a number represented on DEFRA's Management Board for this project. Officials in the ODPM will continue to contribute to the development of the policies to be reflected in the Bill when it is published.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions since 7 July he has used the London underground in connection with his official duties.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has used the London underground on several occasions since the 7 July, but it is not possible to provide precise numbers as no formal records are kept of the trips.

MPs (Outside Appointments)

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and published in accordance with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. This shows that the following former hon. Member who left Parliament in 2005 has since been appointed to public bodies sponsored by the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister. The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			 Name Party Appointing authority 
		
		
			 Candy Atherton Labour Minister for Housing and Planning

New University (Northamptonshire)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions the Growth Areas Directorate within his Department has had with the Department for Education and Skills on the creation of a new university for North Northamptonshire.

Yvette Cooper: Northamptonshire recently received a boost to its higher education provision when the University College in Northampton gained the Royal Charter and official University status. This is good news for the communities of Northamptonshire who will benefit from the university located at the heart of the County and the university is looking to expand its provision significantly over the next five years. In addition, the Tresham Institute serves the communities of North Northamptonshire, providing Post-16 Education, Vocational Training and a wide variety of Adult Learning Courses. Tresham is also an associate college of De Montfort University, so offers a range of professional and degree level courses. The institute plans to open a new 20 million campus in Kettering in early 2007 as part of a wider programme to renewal all of its campuses by 2010.
	The Milton Keynes-South Midlands Sub Regional Strategy identifies the need to expand higher education resources to serve the increasing education and training needs of the Sub-Region's population and states that it has a key part to play in the growth of the area. I understand that local growth partners in North Northamptonshire recognise that physical presence by a university is an important element in supporting a broad range of jobs, opportunities and economic development of the area and are in early discussions with education providers to explore how this could be best be strengthened. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would expect to be involved in these discussions at the appropriate stage.

Parish Councils

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the (a) Lathom and (b) Bickerstaff area of West Lancashire constituency will receive notice as to whether it will be allowed to form a parish council.

Phil Woolas: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister has received a petition for a new parish of Lathom South the area of which comprises parts of Bickerstaff, Derby and Skelmersdale South district wards.
	In order to create this parish council one of the steps required is for the Electoral Commission to receive information from West Lancashire district council on their consultation about the electoral arrangements in the proposed parish. When this information has been received by ODPM and subject to the satisfactory completion of other processes that need to be undertaken then it should be possible to establish a parish council.

Permitted Development Rights

David Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the consultation phase on the Government's proposed response to the Lichfield Report on the Operation of Permitted Development Rights (2003) has commenced.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) commissioned Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners to undertake a review of permitted development rights which was published in September 2003. The ODPM has not formally commented on the report.

Planning Applications (Consultees)

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it a requirement for water and sewerage companies to be statutory consultees in respect of planning applications and development proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Water companies are already statutory consultees on regional spatial strategies (RSSs) and local development plan documents (DPDs) since water resource issues are an important consideration in determining the pattern of development.
	Under the plan-led system, planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan (the RSS and DPDs) unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has no plans to make water and sewerage companies statutory consultees on individual planning applications. However, if evidence emerged that the current approach was not working further consideration would be given to the matter.

Planning Decisions

Ben Wallace: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what percentage of planning decisions in (a) Lancaster and Wyre and (b) Lancashire were over-turned by his Department in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information centrally on the type and number of decisions made prior to April 2002. Since that date the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has decided 19 called-in planning applications or recovered appeals in Lancashire. Of those three were in Wyre and one in Lancaster.
	
		
			  200203 200203 over-turned 200304 200304 over-turned 
			  Number Number Percentage Number Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Lancaster 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Wyre 1 1 100 2 2 100 
			 Total for Lancashire 5 2 40 6 4 66 
		
	
	
		
			  200405 200405 over-turned 2005 to date 2005 to date over-turned 
			  Number Number Percentage Number Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Lancaster 0 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Wyre 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total for Lancashire 5 3 60 3 0 0

Private Sector Investments

Howard Stoate: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures the Government and its agencies are taking to encourage and facilitate private sector investment in (a) the Thames Gateway growth area and (b) Kent Thameside.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister's 210 million investment in the regeneration of North Kent is supporting private sector investment through land remediation and local infrastructure. We are seeing some of these private sector schemes coming on stream, such as some 400 million for The Bridge development in Dartford and some 100 million for Gravesham Town Centre's Heritage Quarter.
	Government realise private sector investment in the Thames Gateway is essential if we are to deliver sustainable housing and economic growth. We work closely with developers and investors in a number of different ways including the Developers Forum and the Investors Group. Both the London and Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporations, as well as the sub-regional and local regeneration partnerships have representatives from the private sector on their boards. In addition we have recently set up an Invest in Thames Gateway team within the Thames Gateway Delivery Unit with a single number02079 44 66 33dedicated to helping investors and developers who want to work in the area.
	In Kent Thameside specifically, private sector is represented on the Local Regeneration Partnership. Our individual partners, such as the local authorities, the South East of England Regional Development Agency, and English Partnerships also work closely with private sector, consulting both on local strategies and individual developments.

Private Sector Investments

Howard Stoate: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much private sector investment has been levered in through section 106 agreements in (a) the Thames Gateway growth area and (b) Kent Thameside since the publication of the Sustainable Communities Plan.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister does not monitor section 106 agreements. However, we would expect the major contributions arising from section 106 agreements to be reflected in the local regeneration frameworks being drawn up by the local regeneration partnerships in the Thames Gateway area.

Public Bodies/Agencies

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 200405 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii)region of the UK and (c) London.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Total Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPB) staff numbers as at 31 March 2005 for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is recorded in Table 2 of Public Bodies 2005, a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House, and online at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/the_future_of_the_civil_ service/agencies_and_public_bodies/publications/pdf/public-bodies/publicbodies2005.pdf
	The number of staff in individual Executive agencies as at 1 April 2004, including a regional analysis, is available in Civil Service Statistics 2004 which was published in February 2005, a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House. It is also available online at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_ service/statistics/contents_for_civil_service_statistics_2004_ report/number_of_civil_servants/index.asp
	Both of the aforementioned represent the latest available information which is held centrally.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold data centrally for NDPB and agencies broken down by regions.

Right-to-Buy

Terry Rooney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the council housing stock (a) houses and (b) flats has been sold since 1980 under the right to buy scheme.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 6 December 2005
	An estimated 30 percent. of council housing stock in England has been sold through the right to buy scheme since 1980. Information concerning the type of dwelling is not available.
	An estimate of the percentage of council stock sold is based on right to nuy sales as a percentage of the notional stock (the most recent stock figure plus all reported sales since 1 April 1979).

Support Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department has taken to remove duplication in the (a) assessment, (b) commissioning and (c) planning in the delivery of extra care schemes.

Phil Woolas: The Department of Health and the Housing Corporation have been working closely together on the assessment, commissioning and planning the delivery of extra care schemes for older people to ensure a co-ordinated approach whether funding for such schemes comes through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing programme or the Department of Health's Extra Care Housing Fund. The Housing Corporation is continuing to work closely with the Department of Health on the next round of bids from 2006 to consider further joint funding of some schemes.

Telecommunications Masts

David Evennett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will change the planning laws so that telecommunications mast applications have to go through the full planning process; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: In 2000 the Stewart Report recommended that telecommunication developments should be subject to the normal planning process. The Stewart Report made this recommendation in order to improve local consultation. The arrangements the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister put in place following the Stewart Report provide for the same consultation arrangements on mobile phone masts up to 15m in height as is required by the full planning process which applies to masts over 15m in height.

Telecommunications Masts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 17 October 2005, Official Report, column 819W, on telecommunications masts, if he will break down the number of mobile phone masts registered for business rates in England in (a) April 1998 and (b) March 2005 by local authority area.

Yvette Cooper: A break down by local authority area, of the number of non-domestic hereditaments shown in the Rating List for England, under the description of Communication Stations, for April 1998, could be delivered only at a disproportionate cost.

Telecommunications Masts

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) whether planning guidelines limit the proliferation of telecommunications masts on one site;
	(2)  which planning and policy guidance notes limit the density of the distribution of telecommunications masts in a particular area.

Yvette Cooper: Planning policy guidance does not set any limits or expectations in respect of the density of telecommunications masts in a particular area or particular site. However, it does require that authorities consider the cumulative impact upon the environment of additional antennas sharing a mast or masts sharing a site.

Telecommunications Masts

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the minimum recommended distance of phone masts from (a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) town centres.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Mobile phone mast and base station developments near schools, hospitals and town centres are subject to the normal planning regulations in place throughout England, unless exempted by the regulations set out in Part 24 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO).
	The precautionary approach recommended by the Stewart report has provided the basis for Government policy. The Group's report did not recommend a ban on the construction of mobile phone masts near schools or any other site and we have no plans to introduce such a ban.

Thames Gateway

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much capital would be raised in (a) the Thames Gateway area and (b) Gravesham by the introduction of the proposed planning-gain supplement; and what proportion of this funding would be handed back to elected local government in (i) the Thames Gateway and (ii) Gravesham.

Yvette Cooper: A consultation paper setting out the Government's proposals for a Planning-gain Supplement (PGS) was published on 5 December 2005. Chapter 6 of the consultation paper sets out the key principles for allocating revenues if PGS is implemented, and seeks the views of consultees on the mechanisms for achieving these.
	The closing date for responses to the consultation is 27 February 2006.

Vacant Domestic Properties

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many vacant domestic properties there were in (a) England and (b) each London borough in each of the last five years, broken down by tenure.

Yvette Cooper: Five tables, one for each of the five years from 2000 to 2004, containing the total number of vacant dwellings in England and in each London borough, broken down by tenure, have been placed in the Library of the House, and provide the latest available data.
	The majority of empty homes in London are in the private sector. Of the 716,800 empty homes at national level 45.6 per cent. have been empty for more than six months. London boroughs like other local authorities will have new powers from April to bring empty homes back into use.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers the Valuation Office Agency has to conduct internal inspections of property for business rates valuation purposes.

Phil Woolas: Paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to The Local Government Finance Act 1988 enables a valuation officer and any person authorised by him in writing to conduct internal inspections for the purpose of carrying out a valuation for non-domestic rating. The policy of the VOA is not to enter a property without the permission of the occupier.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the press release issued by his Department on 16 November, how much money has been pledged so far to the Afghan Counter Narcotics Trust Fund; how many of those pledges have been realised; which donor nations have (a) pledged and (b) donated; what evaluation his Department has undertaken to ascertain the amount required to make the Trust Fund a viable option; and what that figure is.

Kim Howells: holding answer 19 December 2005
	A total of around US $26 million has so far been pledged to the Afghan Counter Narcotics Trust Fund. So far, A$2 million (US$1.5 million) from Australia and NZ$500,000 (US$0.35 million) from New Zealand have been transferred into the Fund. The United Nations Development Programme will contribute US $300,000 towards the management of the Fund.
	The European Commission has made a firm commitment to the Fund of 15 million euros ($18 million), and for 200506 the UK, through the Afghan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit, has made a firm commitment of 3.5 million (US$6 million). The Department for International Development is considering a contribution of 20 million over three years, making a total initial UK contribution of around US $40 million. At least seven other donors have expressed an interest in contributing but have not yet pledged money.
	The Trust Fund does not require a large minimum amount in it to make it financially viable. These pledges are already enough to make it a worthwhile funding instrument.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has written and (b) intends to write to other EU Governments to ask whether their airspace has been used for the purpose of the extraordinary rendition of those accused of terrorist activities; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer of 19 December 2005
	At the request of his EU colleagues, as the EU presidency, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to the United States Secretary of State on 29 November about media reports of US rendition operations and detention camps in Europe. The US Secretary of State replied on 6 December, enclosing a copy of her public statement of 5 December, available at:
	www.state.gov./secretary/rm/2005/57602.htm, by way of response. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary forwarded the US Secretary of State's reply to his EU colleagues on 7 December.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will carry out an investigation similar to the one proposed by the Polish Government into the use by US aircraft of UK airports and airspace.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for North- East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 165253W.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) members and representatives of the UK Government have sought from the US Administration clarification concerning (i) the application of the stated prohibition on the use of cruel and inhumane and degrading treatment as specified by Condoleeza Rice in her statement of 5 December 2005 and (ii) whether the prohibition applies to all US civilian and military personnel regardless of agency affiliation; what assurances he has (A) sought and (B) received concerning exceptions to this prohibition; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The United States Secretary of State's statement on 7 December, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/57723.htm, was clear: as a matter of US policy, the US's obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which prohibits cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, extend to US personnel wherever they are.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1653W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell), on terrorist suspects (rendition), whether his officials checked (a) Ministry of Defence records of civil registered flights using military airfields and (b) national air traffic services data; and what discussions were held with BAA on this matter.

Kim Howells: Neither the records and data to which the hon. Member refers, nor BAA records, would demonstrate whether or not terrorist suspects have been rendited through UK territory or airspace.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances the Government has sought from the United States Administration on its purpose in rendering detainees for questioning to (a) Egypt, (b) Syria and (c) other countries; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: In the United States (US) Secretary of State's statement on 5 December, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/57602.htm, following my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's letter to her of 29 November, Condoleeza Rice explained that for decades the US and other countries have used renditions to transport terrorist suspects to their home country or other countries where they can be questioned, held or brought to justice. She also made clear that:
	The United States has respectedand will continue to respectthe sovereignty of other countries.
	The United States does not transport, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture.
	The United States does not use the airspace or the airports of any country for the purpose of transporting a detainee to a country where he or she will be tortured.
	The United States has not transported anyone in, and will not transport anyone to, a country when it believes he or she will be tortured. Where appropriate, the United States seeks assurances that transferred persons will not be tortured.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the Chicago Convention in relation to suspected rendition flights on (a) the application of domestic criminal law and (b) other international conventions incorporated into UK law.

Kim Howells: The Government does not consider that the Chicago Convention inhibits the application of United Kingdom domestic law or the implementation of our international obligations.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any detainees originally held by UK (a) armed forces and (b) other agencies and subsequently transferred to United States responsibility has been rendered to (i) Egypt, (ii) Syria and (iii) other countries.

Kim Howells: We are unaware of any individuals originally detained by UK authorities and subsequently rendited by the USA to any country.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the United States (a) reservations and (b) derogations from the UN Convention Against Torture for UK policy on the rendition of detainees to third countries.

Kim Howells: The UK policy on rendition of detainees to third countries is very clear. Where we are requested to assist another State and our assistance would be lawful, we will decide whether or not to assist taking into account all the circumstances. We would not assist in any case if to do so would put us in breach of UK law or our international obligations, including the UN Convention Against Torture. In particular, we would not facilitate the transfer of an individual from or through the UK to another State where there were grounds to believe that the person would face a real risk of torture. This is not affected by the position of other States on the Convention.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to ensure that the UK's interpretation of the UN Convention Against Torture is applied in decisions on the rendition of detainees to other countries via UK territory or airspace.

Kim Howells: The term rendition is currently being used to describe informal transfers of individuals in a wide range of circumstances. Whether any particular rendition is lawful depends on the facts of each individual case. Where we are requested to assist another State and our assistance would be lawful, we will decide whether or not to assist taking into account all the circumstances. We would not assist in any case if to do so would put us in breach of UK law or our international obligations, including under the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Torture. In particular, consistent with our obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture, we would not facilitate or permit the transfer of an individual from or through the UK to another State where there were substantial grounds to believe that the person would face a real risk of torture.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the criteria by which the Government makes the decision on whether to accept or reject an application from overseas for access to UK (a) facilities and (b) airspace for the purpose of rendition of a detainee to a third country.

Kim Howells: The term rendition is currently being used to describe informal transfers of individuals in a wide range of circumstances. Whether any particular rendition is lawful depends on the facts of each individual case. Where we are requested to assist another State and our assistance would be lawful, we will decide whether or not to assist taking into account all the circumstances. We would not assist in any case if to do so would put us in breach of UK law or our international obligations, including under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. In particular, we would not facilitate or permit the transfer of an individual from or through the UK to another State where there were grounds to believe that the person would face a real risk of torture.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1023W, on airspace (extraordinary rendition), whether carriers are legally obliged to provide passenger lists when (a) refuelling on, (b) overflying and (c) landing on UK overseas territories.

Karen Buck: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no legal obligation for carriers to provide passenger lists when refuelling, overflying or landing at UK Overseas Territories. The Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation applies equally to UK Overseas Territories as it does to the UK. Article 5 provides that airlines are not required to seek prior permission for non-stop flights across the territory of another state or to make a non-traffic stop in another state. Refuelling is a non-traffic stop (i.e. where no passengers or cargo are taken on board or dropped off).

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1023W, on airspace (extraordinary rendition), if he will define the term 'non-scheduled, non-commercial civil aircraft'; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: I have been asked to reply.
	Non-scheduled, non-commercial civil aircraft refers to foreign civil aircraft that are not engaged in scheduled international air services and have not been engaged in the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for remuneration or hire. Such flights do not require prior permission to land from the Secretary of State for Transport. Article 5 is the relevant article in the Chicago Convention.

Airspace (Extraordinary Rendition)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1043W, on airspace (extraordinary rendition), what plans there are to review the agreement between the US and the United Kingdom regarding the provisions of the Chicago Convention; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: I have been asked to reply.
	The Chicago Convention is the founding instrument of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and any proposals to review it are considered by ICAO's contracting States within its established structure. The EU is negotiating an air services agreement with the US that, if agreed, will replace existing agreements between member states and the US.

Antarctic Research

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Government funding has been allocated in each of the last five years to the Antarctic Research stations of (a) Halley, (b) Bird Island, (c) Signy Island and (d) Rothera.

Alan Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Natural Environment Research Council's funding (through the British Antarctic Survey) of these Antarctic stations in the last five years is detailed in the following table:
	
		000
		
			  Bird Island Signy Island Rothera Halley Total bases 
		
		
			 200001 971 976 10,293 5,825 18,066 
			 200102 854 856 8,478 5,227 15,415 
			 200203 936 1,001 8,883 5,687 16,507 
			 200304 910 964 8,811 5,361 16,047 
			 200405 2,048 1,037 9,254 5,580 17,919

China

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government following the action by paramilitary police against villagers protesting over the seizure of land for a power plant in Dongzhou, Guangdong province.

Ian Pearson: The Government are aware of reports of action by Chinese police against villagers in Dongzhou, Guangdong province. We have not made representations to the Chinese about this particular incident. We understand that the Chinese authorities have taken action against a police commander held responsible for the incident. We are continuing to monitor the situation.
	The Government remain concerned about the human rights situation in China in general. Through regular dialogue with the Chinese authorities we encourage China to engage constructively with the international community on social issues and human rights.

Departmental Assets

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the works of art and antiques owned by his Department with a value over 20,000 each together with the (a) value and (b) location.

Jack Straw: A list of art and antiques owned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be placed in the Library of the House. This list excludes all items owned by the Government Art Collection but out on loan. Please note that not all the art and antique items at Lancaster House have been given a specific value but are included in an overall valuation undertaken by Sotheby's.

Departmental Assets

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the art and antiques with a value of over 10,000 (a) sold and (b) purchased by his Department since 1997.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information about purchases and sales of art and antiques in previous financial years in a format that enables us to identify individual items. Such a list could only be produced from a detailed examination of financial records in the UK and at posts. This examination could be carried out only at a disproportionate cost.

Detention Centres (US Flights)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1647W, on detention centres (US flights), whether (a) he and (b) his officials have (i) received and (ii) sought from the US Secretary of State following her statement of 5 December 2005 (A) the US Administration's working definition of torture and (B) details of the questioning techniques used when interviewing terrorist suspects in countries other than the United States.

Kim Howells: We discuss security and human rights issues with the United States (US) Government on a regular basis. My hon. Friend will be aware of the recent understanding reached between President Bush and Senator McCain on legislation confirming that cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of detainees in US custody is forbidden, and that this prohibition will apply to all US personnel. As the US Secretary of State made clear in her statement of 7 December 2005, US obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture already extend to US personnel wherever they are. We understand that the US Government will shortly issue guidelines confirming the way that the legislation and policy should be implemented.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the EU (a) Joint Committee (EEC-Argentina), (b) Joint Committee (EEC-Brazil), (c) Joint Committee (EEC-Chile) and (d) Joint Committee (EEC-Andean Pact) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There have been no meetings of the European Commission Joint Committees on Argentina, Brazil, Chile or the Andean Pact during the UK presidency.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the EU (a) EC-Georgia Cooperation Committee, (b) EC-San Marino Cooperation Committee, (c) EEC-Ukraine Cooperation Committee and (d) EC-Tunisia Association Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: During the UK presidency there were no meetings of the Co-operation Committees with Georgia and San Marino, or the Association Committee with Tunisia.
	A Co-operation Committee with Ukraine took place on 19 October in Kiev. Mr Hugues Mingarelli, European Commission, led the EU delegation. Mr Arseniy Yatseniuk, Minister of Economy, led the Ukrainian delegation. For the presidency, the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission from the British Embassy, Kiev attended. No provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments at this meeting.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the EU (a) EC-Morocco Association Committee, (b) Joint Committee (EC-Palestinian Authority), (c) EC-Egypt Association Committee and (d) EEC-Israel Association Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There have been no meetings of the EC-Morocco Association Committee, the EC-Palestinian Authority Joint Committee, the EC-Egypt Association Committee or the EEC-Israel Association Committee during the UK presidency of the EU.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Joint Committee (EEC-Andora), (b) EC-Armenia Co-operation Committee and (c) Joint Committee (EEC-Estonia) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who was presiding over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There are no Joint Committees as such, but there are EU-Association Committees for both Bulgaria and Romania. One meeting of the EU-Romania Association Committee has taken place under the UK presidency, on 15 July in Bucharest. This was chaired by the European Commission. A representative of the UK presidency was present as an observer. The EU-Bulgaria Association Committee has not met under our presidency. No provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments at these meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) EC-Moldova Cooperation Committee, (b) Joint Committee (EC-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and (c) EEC-Russia Cooperation Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: A Co-operation Committee with Moldova took place on 29 November in Chisinau. Ms Hilde Hardeman, European Commission, led the EU delegation. Mr Valeriu Ostalep, Deputy Foreign Minister, led the Moldovan delegation. For the presidency, the British Ambassador to Moldova attended.
	The EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council took place in Brussels on 18 July. I represented the presidency with supporting officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Office of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Union.
	No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations at these meetings.
	There were no meetings of the Co-operation Committee with Russia during the UK presidency.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Committee for protection against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country, and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (anti-boycott), (b) Committee on aid for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and (c) Committee on implementation of the programme of assistance to promote the transition to a market economy and to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the partner State of Eastern Europe and Central Asia have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There have been no meetings of the 'Committee for protection against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country, and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (anti-boycott)' during the UK presidency of the European Union.
	During the UK presidency the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) Management Committee met twice, on 15 September and 18 November. The CARDS Management Committee oversees the implementation of council regulation (EC) No 2666/2000. The Committee is convened and constituted for member states to assist the Commission with the implementation of the CARDS programme of assistance to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It is chaired by the Commission. The meetings were attended by officials from the Department for International Development (DFID).
	During the UK presidency the Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) Management Committee met four times: 8 July, 23 September, 24 October and 25 November. The TACIS Management Committee oversees the implementation of council regulation (EC, Euratom) No 99/2000. The Committee is convened and constituted for member states to assist the Commission with the implementation of the TACIS programme. It operates independently of the presidency and is chaired by the Commission. The meetings were attended by officials from DFID and the Office of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Union. On one occasion a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official also attended.
	No provision was made for representation of the devolved administrations at these meetings.

EU Presidency

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the products associated with the EU presidency logo developed by his Department; how many of each were produced; and what the cost was of the production of each.

Douglas Alexander: Member states holding the presidency normally commission a range of promotional goods bearing the presidency logo. The UK did the same. The items were pin-chased by Government Departments and overseas posts for public diplomacy use in connection with a wide range of Government events and activities.
	The overall quantities commissioned were determined in response to demand from across Government. No extra money was made available to posts to cover this expenditure and it was met by reallocating existing resources. The largest item in terms of expenditure was stationery.
	The following details reflect the estimated total quantities of goods commissioned for the whole of the presidency on a Government-wide basis:
	
		
			  Cost () 
		
		
			 Stationery for use at presidency meetings and events 539,000 
			 Small gifts for use at presidency events (mugs, umbrellas, bags etc) 251,000 
			 Clothing (ties, scarves, lapel pins etc) 243,000 
			 Materials for dressing venues for presidency events (logo stands etc) 32,000

EU Presidency

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK presidency of the EU.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out the work programme for the UK presidency in detail in the White Paper Prospects for the EU in 2005 (Cmnd 6611) presented to the House on 30 June 2005. A new White Paper will follow in the new year. We have made progress in a number of areas, including the historic decision to open accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia on 3 October 2005. Last month we achieved significant reform of the EU sugar regime. And we continue to work on a range of issues from the fight against terrorism to the future financing of the EU.

EU Presidency

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the EC-United States of America Joint Committee have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There are no Joint Committee meetings between the European Commission and United States of America.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Government has had with the Government of Argentina about (a) the lifting of economic sanctions against the Falkland Islands and (b) permitting charter flights to the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We regularly discuss issues of mutual interest in the South Atlantic with Argentina and have expressed our concern about recent Argentine actions on a number of occasions.
	We would like to see an agreement on further flights between the Falklands and mainland South America but this must be on terms acceptable to all sides. So far, we have not reached an agreed basis for starting discussion. The UK has made it clear to Argentina that we are prepared to enter into discussions, on the understanding that any future arrangements must be acceptable to the Falkland Islanders and that any such discussions would need to take place against the backdrop of charter flight authorisations proceeding normally.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of recent economic development measures on the Falkland Islands; what steps have been taken to improve the economic viability of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The management of the economy of the Falkland Islands is the responsibility of the Falkland Island Government. With the exception of Defence costs, the Islands are fully economically self-sufficient. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contribution is limited to small grants for individual projects from the economic diversification programme budget.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospect of regular charter flights to the Falkland Islands from Chile.

Douglas Alexander: We would like to see an agreement on further flights between the Falklands and mainland South America but this must be on terms acceptable to all sides. So far, we have not reached an agreed basis for starting discussion.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Ministry of Defence about establishing a commercial element to the military air-bridge to the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly discuss a full range of Falkland Islands issues with the Ministry of Defence. The military air-bridge forms part of these discussions, but so far the establishment of a commercial element has not been discussed.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his Department's policy to bring about the commercialisation of the Ministry of Defence air-bridge to the Falkland Islands.

Douglas Alexander: The military air-bridge has been part of discussions between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence, but so far the establishment of a commercial element has not been part of these discussions. No policy decisions have been made on the subject.

Falkland Islands

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Falkland Islands Government about establishing a commercial northbound air link to the Falkland Islands avoiding Latin America in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence.

Douglas Alexander: No recent discussions have taken place with the Falkland Islands Government on the subject of commercialisation of the military air-bridge. The Falkland Islands have recently submitted a paper on this on which we plan to hold discussions with them and other stakeholders in the new year.

Gibraltar

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money was allocated to Gibraltar from the Overseas Development Fund in each of the last five years; and what proportion of this money was used to pay the pensions of Spanish citizens affected by the closure of the border with Gibraltar.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development's (DFID) development budget expenditure for Gibraltar over the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200001 27,000 
			 200102 23,000 
			 200203 6,000 
			 200304 5,000 
			 200405 1,000 
		
	
	None of this money was spent on pension payments to Spanish citizens who were contributors to the former Gibraltar Social Insurance Fund.
	Payments to these pensioners over the last five years were:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200001 7,720,000 
			 200102 5,390,000 
			 200203 7,780,000 
			 200304 6,990,000 
			 200405 6,210,000 
		
	
	Although administered by DFID these payments are not part of DFID's development aid budget.

Guantanamo Bay

Celia Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people who were UK residents at the time of their seizure are detained in Guantanamo Bay.

Kim Howells: We are aware of five detainees at Guantanamo Bay who have British resident status, but who are not British nationals.

Guantanamo Bay

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay.

Kim Howells: The Government have made clear that it regards the circumstances under which detainees continue to be held in Guantanamo as unacceptable. The United States (US) Government knows our views. Since the release of the last British nationals from Guantanamo in January 2005, we have continued to raise Guantanamo Bay with the US authorities. We will continue to raise our concerns at Ministerial and official level and to work with the US authorities to resolve the issues of concern to us.
	It is important to remember, however, the circumstances which led to Guantanamo Bay. Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Valuable information has been gained from detainees at Guantanamo Bay which has helped the international community in the fight against terrorism.

Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance  Programme

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects being supported under the Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance programme for the promotion of democracy in (a) China, (b) the Balkans region, (c) Kenya, (d) Uganda, (e) Eritrea, (f) Russia, (g) Pakistan and (h) Burma; and what the (i) nature of support and (ii) level of funding is for each project.

Ian Pearson: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 19 December 2005 (UIN 35619) in which I set out the criteria for supporting projects that promote democracy. The latest details of relevant projects are set out in the Global Opportunities Fund (GOF) Annual Report 200405 published as Command Paper 6665 in October 2005 which is also available on the FCO website at http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/KFile/ GOFAnnualReport200405.pdf. Details of GOF projects supported in 200506 will be published in the next annual report.
	Although the report refers to the inclusion of funding the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) within the GOF programme it did not provide details of individual projects. However, during this period WFD undertook projects in the Balkans region, Kenya, Uganda and Russia in line with agreed priorities in Eastern Europe and Africa. A copy of the list of these projects will be placed in the Library of the House.

Insurance Costs

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1482W to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) what the cost of insurance for (a) the silver set in Washington, (b) the two chandeliers in Istanbul, (c) the rug in Havana and (d) the Jaguar XJ 4.2s in (i) New Delhi, (ii) Islamabad and (iii) Cairo was in 200405.

Jack Straw: The three vehicles are insured as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global third party insurance with Axa Insurance. It is not therefore possible to identify the costs of insuring individual vehicles under this policy. The cost of mandatory local third party insurance for the vehicles was:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Islamabad 8.64 
			 New Delhi 10.00 
			 Cairo 16.00 
		
	
	The silver set, the chandeliers and the rug are not individually insured.

International Meetings/State Visits

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the international summits, conferences and state visits hosted by the Government in each year since 1997; and on what date each was held.

Jack Straw: The following are details of the state visits hosted by the Government since 1997:
	810 November 2005: China
	1517 March 2005: Italy
	13 December 2004: Korea
	57 May 2004: Poland
	1821 November 2003: US A
	2427 June 2003: Russia
	(No State Visits in 2002, the jubilee year)
	69 November 2001: Jordan
	1215 June 2001: South Africa
	1618 February 2000: Denmark
	1922 October 1999: China
	2225 June 1999: Jordan
	14 December 1998: Germany
	2629 May 1998: Japan
	25 December 1997: Brazil
	2528 February 1997: Israel.
	A further state visit from Brazil is planned from 89 March 2006.
	Details of international summits and conferences hosted are not held centrally within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and can only be collated at disproportionate cost.

Interrogation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he, (b) his Department and (c) members and representatives of the UK Government have received reports of incidents of the technique known as waterboarding being used as an interrogation technique; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, his Department and other members and representatives are aware of public reports that the technique known as waterboarding has been used as an interrogation technique. But they have received no information to corroborate those reports.

Iran

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the president of Iran, (b) his US counterpart and (c) counterparts in the European Union on the Iranian president's recent comments about Israel.

Kim Howells: On 8 December, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, acting on behalf of the UK presidency of the European Union, condemned unreservedly the comments in which President Ahmadinejad denied that the holocaust had taken place and called for Israel to be moved to Europe. The European Council repeated this condemnation on 16 December. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed these remarks with the President of Iran. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has very regular discussions with his US counterpart on Iranian issues but it would be inappropriate to go into the detail of those conversations.

Iran

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Iran.

Kim Howells: We have serious concerns about Iranian policies in a number of areas, including its nuclear programme; approach towards terrorism; human rights record; and attitude towards the Middle East peace process. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent comments denying the existence of the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be 'wiped from the map' have been widely condemned by the international community, including the European Union and the United Nations Security Council.

Iran

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will make to the Iranian Government following the statement by President Mahmoud Admadinejad dismissing the Nazi holocaust as a myth.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, gave the noble Lord Dykes today [HL 2960].

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1072W, on Iraq, for what reasons the intelligence available to Lord Butler was not available to the Intelligence and Security Committee at the time of its 2003 inquiry.

Jack Straw: The Butler Review and the inquiry conducted by the Intelligence and Security Committee had different terms of reference. Both had extensive access to intelligence material.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1648W, on Israel, whether it is Government policy to apologise routinely when people from any country are arrested or threatened with arrest following private prosecutions.

Kim Howells: It is not Government policy to apologise routinely when people from any country are arrested or threatened with arrest following private prosecutions.

Kenny Richey

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made of the US authorities regarding Kenny Richey who is under a death sentence in Ohio; what representations he has received from (a) campaign groups and (b) other organisations in relation to the case; and what assistance has been given to Kenny Richey's family to visit him in the US.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office(FCO) filed an amicus curiae brief in the United States (US) 6th Circuit Court of Appeal in September 2004 on behalf of Kenny Richey. Since then, the US Supreme Court has overturned that Court's decision that Mr Richey's conviction was unsafe, effectively reinstating the conviction. The FCO receives regular representations from various organisations and individuals who are concerned about Mr Richey's plight. We take all such representations seriously, and are in close and regular contact with Mr Richey's lawyers both in the US and the UK. Any representations made by the FCO on his behalf are made in consultation with Mr Richey and his legal team. We cannot provide assistance for Kenny Richey's family to travel to the United States, although FCO officials are offering them all appropriate consular support.

Maldives

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library public statements made by Ministers on the Gayoon regime in the Maldives.

Kim Howells: With the exception of responses to parliamentary questions appearing in Hansard, I am not aware that there have been any recent ministerial statements about the current Government of the Maldives.

Maldives

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the high commissioner in the Maldives has met Ms Jennifer Latheef.

Kim Howells: The British high commissioner at Colombo, who is accredited to the Maldives, met Jennifer Latheef as well as other representatives of the Maldivian Democratic Party in Male on 22 September.

Maldives

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will visit the Maldives to press for the restoration of democracy in the islands.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to visit the Maldives. However, together with EU partners, we remain seriously concerned about the need for political reform there. We raised those concerns most recently on 12 December when the British high commissioner led an EU troika of Colombo-based heads of mission, also accredited to the Maldives, to call on President Gayoom. We will continue closely monitoring developments in the Maldives.

Morocco

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent arrest of Saharawi human rights activists by the government of Morocco; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government are aware that several Saharawi human rights activists have recently been tried in Laayoune. Officials at our Embassy in Rabat are monitoring the situation.

Morocco

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Morocco on its decision to block the Association for a Referendum in Sahara Occidental website; and if he will take steps to make websites available for political activity in other countries.

Kim Howells: In EU discussions with Morocco, the UK, as presidency of the EU, has emphasised the importance of respecting freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Morocco's record in this area is generally positive. We have not raised the specific case of the Association for a Referendum in Sahara Occidental. However, officials in our embassy in Rabat are monitoring the situation.
	The Government has no plans to make websites available for political activity in other countries.

Mudawi Ibrahim Adam

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the case of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a political prisoner in Sudan, with the Sudanese Government at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, chairperson of the Sudan Social Development Organisation and a prominent Sudanese human rights activist, has been detained by Sudanese authorities on several occasions, most recently in Khartoum on 8 May 2005. Our embassy in Khartoum raised this case with the acting Foreign Minister on 10 May and on 14 May. We also supported representations made by the local EU presidency on this matter. Dr. Mudawi was released unharmed on 17 May 2005 and has continued his work on human rights. Our embassy in Khartoum is in regular contact with Dr. Mudawi and last spoke to him on 14 December 2005.

Osama Bin Laden

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received evidence to suggest that Osama Bin Laden is still alive; and whether the UK Government have been (a) involved with and (b) informed of the drawing up of trial plans in the event that he is captured alive.

Kim Howells: We have not currently seen evidence confirming that Osama Bin Laden is still alive, nor have we received information suggesting that he has died. It is premature to consider the possibilities for trial should he be captured alive: these would depend on, among other things, the circumstances and location of his capture.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the situation pertaining to the Sangha Hill trial in Pakistan and the threats being made against Yousaf Marik; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We deplore the unprovoked attacks against Christians in Sangla Hills on 12 November 2005. We have made representations to the Government of Pakistan on this issue and welcome the public condemnations of the violence from President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
	We are not aware that any trial is yet underway following the attacks. We understand that Yousaf Masih remains in police custody. The Imam of the local lamia mosque allegedly called for Yousaf Masih to be hanged without trial. Our High Commissioner in Islamabad has written to Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs to urge him to investigate this matter immediately and take strong action against those concerned.

Uganda

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reservations (a) he and (b) his officials expressed as a result of recent events in Uganda during the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta concerning the offer by the President of Uganda that Kampala host the 2007 Heads of Government meeting.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 19 December 2005
	The UK remains concerned about the progress of political change in Uganda. On 18 November, the UK issued a statement, on behalf of the EU:
	http://www,eu2005.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1115146994806a=KArticleaid=1131976425734date=20051118, outlining our concerns regarding the arrest of Dr. Kiiza Besigye on charges including treason. We continue to press for a free and transparent civilian trial. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for International Development, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, all made this clear to President Museveni at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Valletta.
	The Commonwealth will keep the situation in Uganda under review in the coming months. It will be for the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, in consultation with member states, to make a final decision on whether the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting should be held in Kampala.

United States

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) members and representatives of the UK Government have (i) sought and (ii) received from the US Administration clarification concerning the application of the prohibition on the use of cruel and inhumane and degrading treatment as specified by Condoleeza Rice in her statement of 7 December 2005 to (A) non-US citizens, (B) terrorist suspects, (C) enemy combatants and (D) high-ranking members of al-Qaeda; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The United States (US) Secretary of State's statement of 7 December 2005, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/nn/2005/57723.htm, was clear: the US's obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which prohibits cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, extend to US personnel wherever they are. There is no suggestion that this policy is qualified according to category of detainee.

United States

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the UK embassy in Washington DC of (a) the effect of Senate Amendment 1977 to the Defense Appropriations Bill for the financial year 2006, (b) the US position with regard to the amendment and (c) the compatability of the proposed amendment and the US Administration's stated prohibition on the use of cruel and inhumane and degrading treatment as specified by Condoleeza Rice's statement of 7 December; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The British Embassy in Washington reports on Congressional matters on a regular basis, including the recent understanding reached between President Bush and Senator McCain on language to prohibit the use of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees in United States custody.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the humanitarian and political situation in Zimbabwe with (a) the US Secretary of State, (b) the Foreign Ministers of the member states of the EU, (c) the Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa and (d) the Secretary-General of the UN.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary most recently discussed the situation in Zimbabwe with the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zuma, at the EU South Africa Co-operation Council on 7 November, and with the United Nations Secretary General on 30 October. European Union Ministers met at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 July, where Zimbabwe was also discussed. Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly converses with the US Secretary of State, Dr. Rice, including, when appropriate, on Zimbabwe.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Payments

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions 
	(1)  what measures he is taking to ensure that carers claim the benefits to which they are entitled;
	(2)  what plans he has to increase carer's allowance.

Anne McGuire: Carers may be entitled to the full range of social security benefits depending on their individual circumstances. Information and advice about entitlement to carer's allowance and other benefits are available from a range of outlets including social security offices, Jobcentre Plus offices, DWP and other helplines, DWP and other internet sites, local authorities, Citizens Advice and welfare benefit offices, public libraries, health clinics, doctors' surgeries and health visitors. Officials from the Department's Disability and Carers Service also discuss carer's allowance at outreach events up and down the country.
	In addition, the extensive pension credit take-up campaign, mounted by the Pension Service, has helped many older carers to benefit from the Government's abolition of the upper age limit on claims to carer's allowance and provided advice on other benefits. As at 31 May 2005, some 437,000 carers were receiving carer's allowance, around 210,000 were receiving the carer premium in income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and about 164,000 were receiving the carer's additional amount in pension credit.
	The carer's allowance claim pack is kept under review and improvements are introduced on an ongoing basis. Claims can be made in writing, by phone and on-line, and can be accepted by organisations such as Age Concern and Citizens Advice as well as DWP offices.
	The weekly rate of carer's allowance is increased annually in line with the Retail Prices Index. As announced on 6 December, it will go up to 46.96 in April 2006.

Bereavement Allowance

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on bereavement allowance.

Stephen Timms: Bereavement benefits, which were introduced in 2001, are payable to both men and women who satisfy the qualifying conditions.
	The bereavement allowance is a contributory benefit payable for a maximum period of 52 weeks from the date of bereavement. It is a weekly benefit payable to qualifying widows and widowers who are aged between 45 and state pension age.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 723W, on the Child Support Agency, in which of the last eight years the Agency's accounts have been qualified by the National Audit Office.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 20 December 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 28th November 2005 Official Report columns 7273W on the Child Support Agency in which of the last eight years have the Agency's accounts been qualified by the National Audit Office.
	The Agency's Client Fund accounts have been qualified by the National Audit Office every year since the Agency's inception. The Agency's administrative accounts have never been qualified.
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training staff who work for the Child Support Agency receive in understanding the law in relation to child support; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member on 11 January 2005, Official Report, column 459W.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the internal target for full maintenance calculations under the new scheme was for 200405.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 20 December 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the internal target for full maintenance calculations under the new scheme was for 200405.
	In 2004/05 the Agency had an internal target 'to ensure that 60% of all new applications cleared resulted in full maintenance calculations', with the remainder being closed.
	In 2005/6, this target was dropped as it was recognised that Agency staff had no control over whether or not a parent with care chose to close their case prior to it reaching a calculation, or whether a case is subject to a reduced benefit decision or claiming good cause.
	At September 2005, 44% (scheme to date) of all new applications cleared resulted in a full maintenance calculation.
	However the Agency definition of 'cleared' has recently changed following improvements and availability of management information. Where as previously a 'clearance' only included a case which had been closed or had received a calculation, it now includes cases subject to a reduced benefit decision, claiming good cause or identified as being a change of circumstances on an existing case (as opposed to a new application). As a result, the volume of recorded clearances rose, making the proportion of clearances resulting in a maintenance calculation lower than the 60% originally envisaged in 2004/5.
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the work involved in transferring old Child Support Agency cases to the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: Before moving cases to the new scheme from the old scheme, each case needs to go through a data cleansing process. It is then migrated from the old computer system to the new system.
	Before we can convert the bulk of cases we also need to introduce a commencement order to make the new scheme rules apply to these cases.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were paid compensation payments by the Child Support Agency in each year since 2001.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 24 November 2005
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 20 December 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were paid compensation payments by the Child Support Agency in each year since 2001. We are unable to state how many people received payments from the Child Support Agency in accordance with the Departmental Guide to Financial Redress. This is because the Agency records the number of payments made and an individual may have received more than one payment.
	The Agency does not hold sufficiently robust information prior to 1 December 2001 to give you the data over the entire period requested. I apologise for this but can give you information on payments, made since 1 December 2001 up until 10 November 2005.
	The table below contains the available information:
	
		
			 Period Number of payments made 
		
		
			 1 December 2001 to 31 March 2002 2,758 
			 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 9,522 
			 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 6,883 
			 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 10,144 
			 1 April 2005 to 10 November 2005 6,251 
		
	
	I hope you find this useful.

Child Support Agency

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of the Child Support Agency's cases (a) pre-dating 3 March 2003 and (b) awaiting calculation of child maintenance under the new scheme involve a non-resident parent;
	(2)  what proportion of Child Support Agency cases pre-dating 3 March 2003, and awaiting recalculation for child maintenance under the new scheme, involve a (a) non-resident and (b) resident parent in receipt of a state benefit or benefits;
	(3)  How many Child Support Agency cases pre-dating 3 March 2003 await recalculation under the new methods of assessing the level of child maintenance payments.

Stephen Timms: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 20 December 2005.
	In reply to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions;
	What proportion of the Child Support Agency's cases (a) pre-dating 3 March 2003 and (b) awaiting calculation of child maintenance under the new scheme involve a non-resident parent.
	You also asked how many Child Support Agency cases pre dating 3 March 2003 await recalculation under the new methods of assessing the level of child maintenance payments.
	You also asked what proportion of Child Support Agency cases pre-dating 3 March 2003 and awaiting recalculation for child maintenance under the new scheme involve a (a) non-resident and (b) resident parent in receipt of a state benefit or benefits.
	All Child support Agency cases by definition involve a non-resident parent.
	In respect of those old scheme cases pre-dating 3 March 2003 remaining to be transferred from the old to the new child support schemes, the old scheme caseload stood at 938,000 (of which 286,000 were operating on the new computer system) as at the end of September 2005.
	Of those old scheme non-resident parents on the old computer system at the end of September 2005, 29 per cent,. of those with a full maintenance assessment were recorded as being in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or other disability benefits at the time of their last assessment by the Agency. Information relating to the receipt of other state benefits is not recorded on the old scheme old computer system.
	Of those old scheme non resident parents on the new computer system at the end of September 2005, 28 per cent. of those with a full maintenance assessment were recorded as being in receipt of Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, or Income Support. Information relating to the receipt of disability benefits is not currently available due to limitations with management information systems, and information relating to the receipt of other state benefits is not recorded.
	At the end of May 2005, 32 per cent. of old scheme parents with care were in receipt of Income Support Or Income Related Job Seekers Allowance. This is the latest period for which such data is available. Information for other state benefits is not held on the Child Support system, as they are not relevant to the parent with care's child support claim.
	I hope you find this information helpful

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total of unpaid maintenance owed by the Child Support Agency to parents with care has been in each quarter since 199798; how much has been written off each year as uncollectable maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty dated 20 December 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total of unpaid maintenance owed by the Child Support Agency to parents with care has been in each quarter since 1997; how much has been written off each year as uncollectable maintenance; and if he will make a statement.
	The Child Support Agency does not owe child maintenance to parents with care; child maintenance is owed by non-resident parents.
	The Child Support Agency has no legislative power to write off debt, and current debt is now the cumulative total of 12 years. For accounting purposes the Agency accepts that in some cases some debt is probably un-collectable (for example, where the non-resident parent is long-term unemployed, has gone abroad, or has died). The accounts have been adjusted accordingly: however the full amount owed remains due from the non-resident parent.
	The table below summarises the cumulative total of the Child Support Agency's collectable and probably un-collectable debt on an annual basis since 1996/97. It is extracted from the annual debt analysis and is as reported in the Annual Report and Accounts. Information is not held on a quarterly basis:
	
		 million
		
			  Amount classed as collectable(25) Amount classed as probably un-collectable 
		
		
			 200405 1,268.378 1,984.400 
			 200304 975.894 2,004.847 
			 200203 790.070 1,965.340 
			 200102 611.209 1,915.312 
			 200001 618.020 1,692.380 
			 19992000 653.705 1,410.853 
			 199899 690.235 1,069.680 
			 199798 597.165 829.237 
			 199697(26) 397.447 748.040 
		
	
	(25) Collectable debt includes that classified as probably collectable and deferred in the agency's annual report and accounts.
	(26) 199697 re-stated in 199798 accounts for change in accounting policy.
	Note:
	These amounts include maintenance owed either to the parent with care, or the Secretary of State (where the parent with care is in receipt of benefit). It is not possible to apportion money not yet collected to the parent with care or Secretary of State.
	I hope you find this information helpful.

Christmas

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether staff in his Department and its executive agencies have been required to remove from their offices (a) charity collection boxes and (b) charity appeal literature referring to Christmas and the birth of Jesus; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions standards of behaviour policy allows for charitable collections to be made at the approval of local managers.
	In exercising this discretion we expect managers to take into account local knowledge, operational needs and the personal responsibilities all managers have for implementing diversity principles in their day to day dealings with customers, with DWP staff and with partner organisations. This includes respecting cultural and religious differences.
	The Department has not issued any instructions centrally relating to charity boxes or appeal literature referring to Christmas.

Debt Manager Software

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total implementation costs of the new Debt Manager software package has been to his Department.

James Plaskitt: The introduction of the new IT system is part of the programme to modernise the recovery of overpaid benefits; in particular to bring about improvements in accounting controls to ensure that accounting irregularities, which have contributed to the qualification of DWP accounts by the CAG in previous years, are removed from the system.
	The total cost of introducing the new DWP Debt Manager system is 21.509 million: this includes all supplier costs (including hardware and software), the costs of project staff and the debt management operational staff costs relating exclusively to the implementation of the new system.

Community Care Grants

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many community care grants were awarded in the (a) Staffordshire county council area and (b) Tamworth borough council area in each year since 2001.

Stephen Timms: Data is not available by county council area or borough council area but only by Jobcentre Plus district (and previously by social fund district). The available information is in the following tables.
	
		Community care grants for the Staffordshire social fund district
		
			  Initial awards 
		
		
			 200102 3,108 
			 200203 (to October) 1,859 
		
	
	
		Community care grants for the area covered by the Staffordshire Jobcentre Plus district
		
			  Initial awards 
		
		
			 200203 (from November) 1,433 
			 200304 3,572 
			 200405 3,567 
			 200506 (to November) 2,701 
		
	
	
		Community care grants for the Derwent and Trentsocial fund district
		
			  Initial awards 
		
		
			 200102 2,157 
			 200203(to October) 1,278 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Staffordshire county council area was not included in a single social fund district, but used to be part of the area covered by Staffordshire and Derwent and Trent social fund districts. It is now part of Staffordshire Jobcentre Plus district. The latter was formed in November 2002 by combining Burton-on-Trent (from Derwent and Trent social fund district) with Staffordshire social fund district. Tamworth borough council area used to be part of Staffordshire social fund district and is now part of Staffordshire Jobcentre Plus district. The three areas for which data is given above are thus different, so the data is not comparable.
	2. Initial awards do not include awards made after review.
	Source:
	DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System

Community Care Grants

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many community care grants were awarded for each year in the period 2001 to 2005 in the Leeds metropolitan district area.

Stephen Timms: The available information is in the table.
	
		Community care grants in the Leeds metropolitan district area
		
			  Initial awards 
		
		
			 200102 2,475 
			 200203 2,989 
			 200304 3,217 
			 200405 2,998 
			 200506 (to November) 2,303 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Initial awards do not include awards made after review.
	2. Data is held by Jobcentre Plus District, not by local authority. However, Leeds metropolitan district coincides with Leeds Jobcentre Plus District.
	Source:
	DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

Contributory Benefits

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total expenditure on contributory benefits was in each of the last three years, broken down by benefit category.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the tables.
	
		Great Britain: Contributory benefits, nominal terms
		
			  million 
			  Outturn 
			  200203 200304 200405(27) 
		
		
			 Basic state pension 38,469 39,819 41,318 
			 State earnings related pension/state second pension 5,869 6,647 7,440 
			 Incapacity benefit 6,758 6,641 6,679 
			 Widow's / bereavement benefits 1,087 1,004 912 
			 Statutory maternity pay 724 1,005 1,202 
			 Jobseeker's allowance 519 506 438 
			 Christmas bonus 120 123 124 
			 Statutory sick pay 70 72 77 
			 Maternity allowance 69 128 148 
			 Guardian's allowance ad child's special allowance 2 0 0 
			 Total contributory benefits expenditure 53,687 55,946 58,339 
		
	
	(27) Estimated.
	
		Great Britain: Contributory benefits, real terms, 200506 prices
		
			  million 
			  Outturn 
			  200203 200304 200405(28) 
		
		
			 Basic state pension 41,345 41,623 42,351 
			 State earnings related pension / state second pension 6,308 6,948 7,626 
			 Incapacity benefit 7,263 6,942 6,846 
			 Widow's / bereavement benefits 1,169 1,049 935 
			 Statutory maternity pay 778 1,051 1,232 
			 Jobseeker's allowance 557 529 449 
			 Christmas bonus 129 129 127 
			 Statutory sick pay 75 75 79 
			 Maternity allowance 74 133 152 
			 Guardian's allowance and child's special allowance 2 0 0 
			 Total contributory benefits expenditure 57,699 58,480 59,797 
		
	
	(28) Estimated.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for Great Britain.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest million pounds.
	3. When the parent benefit is paid out of the National Insurance Fund (NIF), Christmas bonus is paid from the NIF too, otherwise Christmas bonus is paid out of the Consolidated Fund. The Christmas bonus expenditure in the table is that paid from the NIF.
	4. From April 2003 responsibility for guardian's allowance and child special allowance has been transferred to the Inland Revenue.
	5. All benefit expenditure figures are consistent with Budget 2005 and with expenditure information which is published on the Department's internet website at the following address: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp. These tables will be updated following the publication of the 2005 pre-Budget report.
	Source:
	Expenditure figures have been taken from the DWP Expenditure Tables (Table 3).

Data Protection

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints about his Department have been made to the Information Commissioner in connection with the Data Protection Act 1998 since it came into force.

Anne McGuire: Since the Data Protection Act came into force on 1 March 2000, 214 letters have been received from the Information Commissioner following complaints.

Departmental Expenditure

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total departmental expenditure was on the administration of (a) the Employment Service, (b) the Benefits Agency and (c) Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years; and what the projected expenditure is in each organisation for the next three years.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 20 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning: what the total departmental spend was on the administration of (a) the Employment Service, (b) the Benefits Agency and (c) Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years; and what the projected spends are in each organisation for the next three years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The Employment Service (an Executive Agency of the former Department for Education and Employment) and the Benefits Agency (part of the former Department of Social Security) ceased to exist on 31 March 2002. From 1 April 2002, the Benefits Agency's functions were split between The Pensions Service and Jobcentre Plus, both Executive Agencies of the newly formed Department for Work and Pensions. The Employment Service then became part of Jobcentre Plus. The table below shows the approximate net administration costs of the part of the Benefits Agency that transferred to Jobcentre Plus added to the administration costs of the Employment Service for 200001 and 200102.
	
		 million
		
			  Net administration costs 
		
		
			 200001 3,043 
			 200102 3,001 
		
	
	The administration costs of Jobcentre Plus for the three years from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005 are contained in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. However, to assist you I have reproduced the figures below.
	
		 million
		
			  Net administration costs 
		
		
			 200203 2,951 
			 200304 3,042 
			 200405 3,148 
		
	
	The projected net administration costs for the subsequent three years are as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Net administration costs 
		
		
			 200506 3,301 
			 200607 3,323 
			 200708 3,146 
		
	
	I hope this is helpful.

Disability Living Allowance

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Midlothian are in receipt of (a) incapacity benefit, (b) disability living allowance, (c) attendance allowance, (d) reduced earnings allowance, (e) retirement allowance and (f) industrial injuries benefit.

Anne McGuire: The most recent available information for each benefit is in the following tables.
	
		Claimants in the Midlothian parliamentary constituency, as at May 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance 4,400 
			 Disability living allowance 5,000 
			 Attendance allowance 2,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	2. Parliamentary constituency of claimant (Westminster). For the May 2005 General Election, the constituencies in Scotland changed. The above figures refer to the post May 2005 Westminster boundaries.
	3. Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disability allowance (SDA) 'claimant' figures include all IB and SDA (including IB credits only cases).
	4. Attendance allowance and disability living allowance 'claimant' figures exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study
	
		Industrial injuries disablement benefit claimants in the Midlothian parliamentary constituency, by benefit component; as at March 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) only 400 
			 Reduced earnings allowance (REA) only 400 
			 Retirement allowance (RA) only 100 
			 Both IIDB and REA 300 
			 Both IIDB and RA 200 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	2. Parliamentary constituency of claimant (Westminster). For the May 2005 General Election, the constituencies in Scotland changed. The above figures refer to the pre May 2005 Westminster boundaries.
	Source:
	100 per cent. sample from the Industrial Injuries Computer System (IICS)

Employment Zone (Tower Hamlets)

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the total cost is to date of implementing the (a) Employment Zone and (b) Working Neighbourhood pilots in the London borough of Tower Hamlets;
	(2)  if he will list the payments agreed by his Department to each private contractor for the Employment Zone in the London borough of Tower Hamlets;
	(3)  what targets have been set for the (a) Employment Zone and (b) Working Neighbourhood pilots in the London borough of Tower Hamlets; and what the performance has been against each one.

Margaret Hodge: The specific information requested is not available.

Health and Safety Report

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government plans to respond to the EU report on Health and Safety in the Workplace; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: I am unsure to which report the hon. Member refers. However, the European Commission has recently published its second consultation paper on a simplification proposal to rationalise the reporting arrangements on the practical implementation of occupational safety and health directives.
	At this stage of the process, only employers and workers organisations are involved in the consultation. Therefore the UK Government will not respond to this paper. Once the social partner consultation process has been completed, the European Commission may propose a directive. The UK will support any proposal that seeks to simplify the current reporting system. We expect to see a proposal towards the end of the UK presidency or early in 2006.

Housing Allowances

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of extending local housing allowances to the whole of the UK; how much he estimates the administration cost will be; and what the cost of administering housing benefit under the previous arrangements are estimated to be in the next three years.

James Plaskitt: The costs of any possible local housing allowance scheme extended across Great Britain would depend on the exact design. This would be determined by the experience of the current local housing allowance pathfinder pilot areas, for which the evaluation is still ongoing.
	The Department does not collect management information relating to the cost to local authorities of administering housing benefit under the existing national scheme. The Department has commissioned a research project looking into the overall administration costs of housing benefit and council tax benefit. This project is near completion and will help us obtain a better indication of these costs in the future.

Human Resource Management Strategy

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's human resource management strategy.

Anne McGuire: The Department's staff are integral to the achievement of its objectives. In order to support the delivery of its work agenda and realise the benefits of modernisation, the Department's human resource strategy is for a smaller work force that is more highly skilled, more productive, better motivated and rewarded, delivering an improved level of customer service.
	A key element of the Department's human resource strategy, set out in the 2004 Spending Review, is the managed reduction in staff numbers of 30,000 posts by March 2008 taking place alongside significant investment in information systems. Against this target, as at the end of September 2005 the Department had reduced staff numbers by 14,215.

Incapacity Benefit

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit claimants in the Gravesham constituency have been receiving the benefit for five years or more.

Anne McGuire: As at May 2005 there were 3,500 people claiming incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance in the Gravesham parliamentary constituency. Of these 1,700 had been claiming the benefit for five years or more.

Incapacity Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions incapacity benefit sanctions have been applied at the discretion of personal advisers in each of the last five years in each region.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not collected routinely and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Incapacity Benefit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of people in each (a) parliamentary constituency in England and (b) English local authority area are in receipt of incapacity benefit.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available in the format requested, because population estimates are not available by parliamentary constituency. The available information has been placed in the Library.

Incapacity Benefit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in (a) the Wakefield area and (b) Hemsworth constituency were in receipt of incapacity benefit in each of the last 10 years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants in the Hemsworth parliamentary constituency and the Wakefield metropolitan district council area
		
			  Wakefield MDC Hemsworth 
		
		
			 May   
			 1996 22,600 7,800 
			 1997 21,900 7,400 
			 1998 21,900 7,200 
			 1999 21,000 6,800 
			 2000 21,500 7,400 
			 2001 21,800 7,500 
			 2002 22,000 7,600 
			 2003 21,700 7,400 
			 2004 21,700 7,400 
			 2005 20,900 7,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for the years 1996 to 1999 have been produced using 5 per cent. data and have been rated up in accordance with the Great Britain WPLS 100 per cent. IB/SDA totals.
	2. Figures are shown in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3. 'Claimant' figures include all IB and SDA (including IB credits only cases).
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, 5 per cent. Samples from 1996 to 1999 and Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data thereafter.

Jobcentre Plus

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of telephone calls were (a) offered, (b) answered, (c) engaged and (d) given up in each Jobcentre Plus contact centre in each month from January to November; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 20 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many and what percentage of telephone calls were offered, answered, engaged, and given up in each Jobcentre Plus contact centre in each month from January 2005 and November 2005. This is something, which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I have arranged to place in the House of Commons Library details of calls offered and answered at each Contact Centre for both Jobseeker Direct and First Contact for benefit claims. I have included abandoned calls as we assume that this is what is meant by calls 'given up'. When customers call a contact centre and there is no agent free they are placed in a queue rather than hear an engaged tone, so no callers would hear an engaged tone.
	Our aim is to answer 90% of all calls. The latest figures available for November show we answered 92.4% of all calls.
	Finally, in my reply to your earlier question on this subject (PQ 32512appearing in Hansard on the 7 December) there were two slight inaccuracies in the figures provided. The information I have placed in the Library now contains the correct figures. I apologise for this oversight.

Laptops

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The available information is provided in the tables. Figures are available from 2003 only. Prior to this, laptops were included in an overall workstation allocation and not accounted for separately.
	
		
			  Number of laptops Number of laptops used by Ministers Number of laptops used by special advisers 
		
		
			 December 2003 1,478 4 2 
			 December 2004 6,951 3 4 
			 June 2005 6,218 2 0 
		
	
	Laptop numbers have increased due to a major IT modernisation programme within the Department and in line with flexible working practices.
	Support costs for 2003 refer to the period June to December 2003 and were 173,730. Support costs for 2004 refer to the whole year, and were 250,140. Support costs for January to June 2005 were 165,092 1 .
	The number of stolen laptops is as follows:
	
		
			 Period (April to March) Number stolen 
		
		
			 200203 4 
			 200304 14 
			 200405 5 
		
	
	Figures for lost laptops are not collected centrally and could be provided only at
	disproportionate cost.
	1 The figures provided in the table were the recorded volumes at the points in time stated. The support costs noted over the yearly and half yearly periods may reflect a higher number of laptops as volumes fluctuate with demand.

Maladministration

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many payments for maladministration have been made by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies, (c) its non-departmental public bodies and (d) other bodies for which his Department has responsibility in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions operates a discretionary, non-statutory scheme providing financial redress for maladministration. The operation of the scheme is delegated to the Department's agencies.
	The following figures represent the number of awards of special payments by the Department's agencies in the last five years. A single person may be awarded redress (i) for financial losses incurred; and/or (ii) for delay; and/or (iii) for the inconvenience, worry and distress caused. Since one person can receive more than one award for their case, the number of awards is significantly higher than the number of people receiving redress.
	
		
			  Benefits Agency Child Support Agency(29) Disability and Carers Service ITS/Appeals Service Jobcentre Plus The Pension Service War Pensions Agency 
		
		
			 200001 82,730 12,599  125   95 
			 200102 44,951 15,569  127
			 200203  15,033 1,634 66 10,142 4,230  
			 200304  11,267 2,266 64 11,174 3,828  
			 200405  17,852 3,736 60 6,800 11,058  
		
	
	(29) The Child Support Agency (CSA) does not regard the information prior to 1 December 2001 as robust.
	The Independent Living Fund (ILF) has made five payments.
	The Disability Rights Commission has made one payment.
	No payments for maladministration have been reported for the years in question by any of the other non-departmental public bodies or other bodies for which the
	Department is responsible.
	Notes:
	1. The former Benefits Agency of DSS and Employment Services of DFES were replaced in 200203 by new agencies: (Disability and Carers Service (DCS), Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and The Pension Service (TPS).
	2. Responsibility for the War Pensions Agency moved to MoD in April 2001. It is now referred to as the Veterans Agency.
	3. Departmental figures for 200001 and 200102 include additional payments awarded in recognition of the then difficulties with the NIRS2 computer system.
	4. The Pension Service figures for 200405 include payments awarded as a result of a special exercise to award a carer premium to some pension credit customers.
	5. The figures shown in the tables represent payments authorised rather than payments made within each financial year and as such may differ from the total figures shown in the Department's Resource Account.
	6. The term 'maladministration' is not defined in legislation but is considered to include a variety of failings including delays and errors by officials.

Ministerial Meetings

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent meetings he has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government; what was discussed; and what decisions were taken.

James Plaskitt: The Secretary of State has contact with colleagues across the devolved Administrations and discusses a variety of issues with them.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will provide a substantive answer to the question from the hon. Member for Birkenhead tabled on 1 November reference 25136 on Pathways to Work pilots.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 8 December 2005
	An answer was given on 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1764W.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the target is for the proportion of participants moving into employment in each Pathways to Work pilot area.

Margaret Hodge: The Pathways to Work districts are piloting new measures and innovative approaches to helping people with long term illnesses or a disability to return to work. As pilot schemes, they are a chance to assess what approaches may be more effective than the existing measures.
	There are no targets specifically for the Pathways to Work pilots. However, the Pathways districts have the same range of job entry targets that all Jobcentre Plus districts have. We are essentially measuring the impact of the additional help offered through Pathways by comparing performance before and after the roll-out of the pilots and by comparison with national performance.
	Early results show off-flows from incapacity benefit at six months of around 48 per cent. in the pilot areas compared with around 40 per cent. nationally, an improvement of eight percentage points.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) total cost and (b) cost per participant moved into employment is of each Pathways to Work pilot area.

Margaret Hodge: By 200708, Pathways to Work will cover one-third of new incapacity benefit cases and support will be available to around 900,000 claimants. The total budget allocation for Pathways to Work for 200405 was 45 million, rising to 85 million in 200506.
	Information on the cost per participant that moved into employment in each of the Pathways to Work pilot areas is not available.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the breakeven proportion of participants in pathways to work moved into employment is for each pilot area (a) overall and (b) for participants who have been receiving incapacity benefit for (i) less than a year and (ii) more than a year.

Margaret Hodge: Information in the form requested is not available. The Pathways to Work districts are piloting new measures and innovative approaches to helping people with long term illnesses or a disability to return to work. As pilot schemes, they are designed to test whether alternative approaches may be more effective than existing measures.
	Early results show off-flows from incapacity benefit at six months of around 48 per cent. in the pilot areas compared with around 40 per cent. nationally, an improvement of 8 percentage points, resulting in a reduction in the incapacity benefit caseload which more than pays for the additional costs of the pilots.

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of pensioners in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Scotland have levels of income which are above the level of entitlement to pension credit by (i) 5, (ii) 10 and (iii) 20; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: No such estimate has been made.
	Entitlement estimates for pensions credit will not be available until National Statistics take-up estimates for the first six months of pension credit are published early in 2006. Following publication of these estimates, we will be able to provide estimates of the proportion of pensioners who are in various bands of entitlement, Great Britain.

Pension Credit

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the level of take-up of pension credit has been in each quarter since its launch.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available.
	Latest estimates of the number of pensioners entitled to but not receiving the main income related benefits relate to financial year 200203 and predate the introduction of pension credit. Estimates for minimum income guaranteethe predecessor to pension creditcan be found in the DWP report entitled Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 200203. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.
	Estimates of pension credit will be published in early 2006; this publication will include the first six months of pension credit. Estimates for the full year 200405 are expected to be published in May 2006.

Rent Service

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the basis was for the allocation of funding attributable to Scotland for administration of the rent service in the public sector statistical analysis; and which functions of the rent service relate to Scotland.

Stephen Timms: The allocation of DEL related expenditure over country and region, which includes the rent service, is based on DWP staff numbers in those areas.
	The rent service is an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It operates across England only, but there are separate organisations for rent officer functions linked into both the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly.

Revised Jobseekers Agreement (Staffordshire)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what evaluation has been carried out of the revised jobseeker's agreement piloted in North Staffordshire.

Stephen Timms: The jobseeker's allowance (JSA) pilots were trialled in 13 districts covering 138 offices. The pilots were primarily designed to test different ways of delivering the JSA regime.
	The research report The Qualitative Evaluation of the JSA Intervention Regime Pilots was published on 8 December this year, and contains an assessment of the revised jobseeker's agreement. The results were anonymised to avoid identification of information sources from individual offices. The report, therefore, does not single out North Staffordshire. The report is available in the Library.

Social Fund Loans

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Leeds applied for a social fund loan in each year since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Loan applications in Leeds Social Fund District/Leeds Jobcentre Plus District
		
			  Budgeting loans Crisis loans 
		
		
			 200102 24,434 11,608 
			 200203 25,309 12,524 
			 200304 25,837 13,117 
			 200405 23,757 12,216 
			 200506 (to end of November) 16,335 12,187 
		
	
	Note:
	Leeds Jobcentre Plus District was previously known as Leeds Social Fund District.
	Source:
	DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

Volunteers

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many volunteering positions his Department has offered in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not heldcentrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Winter Fuel Payment

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that single pensioners living in a property that shares a postcode with a care home receives the correct amount of winter fuel payment.

Stephen Timms: In these cases the decision is based on whether the accommodation the customer lives in constitutes a separate household. It takes into account factors such as whether the accommodation has its own postal address. If the lower amount is issued and further inquiries reveal that a 200 payment was due, a top up payment is issued.
	If the hon. Member is aware of any instances in which a pensioner has received a smaller winter fuel payment than he or she was entitled to because of an error of this nature, the chief executive of the Pension Service would be grateful to be informed.

Women's Pensions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Minister for Women on the future of women's pensions.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Women spoke at the launch of the Department's report 'Women and Pensions: the Evidence' in Manchester on 7 November. Women's ability to build up pension entitlement is influenced by multiple factors such as education, employment, earnings and caring responsibilities that impact during their lifetime. We are continuing to work closely with the Minister for Women, the Deputy Minister for Women and Equality and colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry on the issues surrounding women's working lives including labour market participation and the gender pay gap and their subsequent impact on pension accruals and entitlements.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol-related Crime

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the role of alcohol in rising levels of violent crime.

Paul Goggins: The British Crime Survey is considered the most reliable source of data on violent crime and the data published in July 2005 in a report called Crime in England and Wales 2004/05 indicates that the number of violent incidents fell by 11 per cent. based on comparison between 200304 and 200405 interview. Violent crime has fallen by 43 per cent. since a peak in 1995, an estimated 1.8 million fewer incidents. Although the Home Office has not commissioned any specific research into the role of alcohol and its impact on levels of violent crime it does monitor, via social surveys, levels of alcohol-related crime including violent crime. Data from the British crime survey on the percentage of violent incidents in England and Wales in which the victim believed one or more offenders was 'under the influence of drink' are published on a regular basis. The Offending crime and justice survey also contain information on the role of alcohol and violent offences and this information is also published on a regular basis.

Alcohol-related Crime

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent attacks were committed under the influence of alcohol and in connection with licensed premises in each of the last three years in (a) Croydon, (b) Sutton and (c) Bromley boroughs.

Paul Goggins: The requested information is not available.

Banned Drivers

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many drivers have been banned from driving for drink or drug related offences in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what percentage of drivers randomly tested were found to be over the legal alcohol limit in the last year for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: 2005 data on drivers disqualified for drink or drug related offences will not be available until early 2007. 2004 data will be issued in March 2006.
	Breath tests can be conducted only in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and may not be carried out at random.

Animal Cruelty

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of cruelty towards animals in London in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is in the table. Statistics on court proceedings for 2005 will be available autumn 2006.
	
		Number of offenders(30) found guilty for offences relating to animal cruelty in Greater London area (Metropolitan and City of London police force areas) 19972004
		
			 Statute 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Protection of Animals Act, 1911 (as amended) 57 46 46 48 48 44 46 29 
			 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 8 
			 Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 
			 Protection of Animals Act, 1934 4 3;   
			 Docking and Nicking of Horses Act, 19491 
			 Pet Animals Act, 1951 2  4 2 3  3 1 
			 Cockfighting Act, 1952 
			 Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954 6  1 2   2  
			 Animal Health Act, 1981, Secs 4042, 46 and 49 and Orders 8 3 11 9 13 12 5 12 
			 made under Sees 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43 
			 Slaughterhouses Act, 1974   -  
			 Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960, Sec 1  4  1 2
			 Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) 
			 Regulations 1988 
			 Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962 
			 Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963 
			 Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970 
			 Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967 
			 Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, Secs 1, 2 and 6 1
			 Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13) 1  1  
			 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 9 
			 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 11 
			 Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996  11   
			 Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991 
			 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 
			 Diseases of Animals Act 2 7 7 2 13 8 12 16 
			 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Sees 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 17 8 1 74 2 1 1 10 22 
			 Total 89 65 143 67 80 66 79 80 
		
	
	(30) Principal offence basis.

Asylum/Immigration

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding applications for leave to remain on grounds of asylum there are from applicants from each member state of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Information on outstanding applications for asylum by nationality is unavailable and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. There were 6,100 asylum applications outstanding at the end of September 2005.

Asylum/Immigration

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on asylum seekers from Zimbabwe whose asylum applications have been rejected; and whether such asylum seekers are being sent back to their country of origin.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 14 December 2005, Official Report, columns 15354WS.

Asylum/Immigration

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to ensure (a) that Iraqi failed asylum seekers are returned to their town of origin, (b) that their safety is guaranteed and (c) that they receive assistance to readjust to life in Iraq.

Tony McNulty: All cases are taken forward on a case by case basis and we will return individuals to their home towns in those particular areas assessed as sufficiently stable.
	The Home Office will enforce the return of Iraqis only if satisfied that they will not be at risk. These will be individuals whose asylum claim has been turned down on the basis that they are not at risk of persecution and do not need humanitarian protection.
	As highlighted in previous announcements, in light of current circumstances in Iraq, there is a package of support in place for the enforced returnees. This includes $100 USD cash payment, access to re-skilling training and provision of transport to their home address in Iraq.

Asylum/Immigration

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many asylum seekers accommodated in (a) England, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) Kettering constituency were granted asylum in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many illegal immigrants who had been accommodated in (a) England, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) Kettering constituency have been deported in each of the last 10 years;
	(3)  how many asylum seekers accommodated in (a) England, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) Kettering constituency were not granted asylum but were granted indefinite leave to remain in each of the last 10 years;
	(4)  how many asylum seekers accommodated in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) Kettering constituency have been granted refugee status in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: Information on the case outcome of asylum seekers who have resided in particular areas of the UK is not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by the examination of individual case records.
	The case information on illegal immigrants removed from the UK and their residences is unavailable.
	Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives. The numbers of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (MASS) are published on a quarterly and annual basis, broken down by local authority. The most recent publication covering the third quarter of 2005, and further historical publications are available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. Data on asylum seekers supported by MASS broken down by parliamentary constituency are also available from the Library of the House.

Asylum/Immigration

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 970W, on asylum/immigration, when information on allowed appeals is expected to become available; how many cases in which appeals have been allowed and the appellant has not yet been issued leave to remain are outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: As previously explained information on how many outstanding cases there are in which appeals have been allowed and the appellant has yet to be issued with leave to remain is not available and can only be produced at disproportionate cost upon examination of individual cases.

Cannabis

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the levels of cannabis arriving in the UK from Afghanistan in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The available information relates to seizures. In the last four financial years Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (HMCE) made seven seizures of cannabis (with a total weight of 300 kilograms) known to have originated in Afghanistan out of a total of 13,878 seizures (with a total weight of 240,000 kilograms).

Cannabis

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment when the Government will publish the findings of the review of the reclassification of cannabis.

Paul Goggins: At the request of the Home Secretary, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has undertaken a review of the recent evidence about the effects of cannabis use on mental health and the alleged increase into the potency of cannabis products. The ACMD intends to publish its Report in early 2006.

Chemical/Biological Agents

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the research funded by his Department and conducted by the Food Standards Agency into the survivability of chemical and biological agents in bottled water and packaged food will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: Information contained in this research could prove of value to individuals potentially wishing to tamper with food or drink products in order to pose a threat to the public for terrorist or other criminal purposes. Accordingly, it is not the intention of the Department to publish this research.

Christmas

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department is taking to celebrate and promote Christmas in 2005.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office is participating in a range of activities for its staff both to promote and celebrate Christmas.
	Home Office staff have been invited to attend the Whitehall-wide Carol Service to be held on 15 December, organised and funded by the Whitehall Network of Christian Fellowships. Carol concerts are also being held in the main Home Office buildings in Croydon.
	The Home Office has produced a corporate Christmas card to send to its external stakeholders, partners and contacts. The Home Secretary and permanent secretary will also send a seasonal message to staff. There will be Christmas trees and decorations in offices and reception areas in Home Office buildings. Staff restaurants in 2 Marsham Street and other buildings in the Home Office estate are providing a traditional Christmas lunchtime menu and individual prisons will organise a special Christmas dinner and other activities.
	The Home Office is also participating in the Westminster Christmas Challenge organised by the Volunteering Centre Westminster to provide a range of practical assistance over the Christmas period to a number of local charities. Other individual areas of the Home Office are also organising fundraising and voluntary Christmas activities for a range of different charities.

Civic Pioneers Learning Network

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authorities (a) participate in and (b) used to participate in the Civic Pioneers Learning Network; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: There are 22 local authorities participating in the Civic Pioneer Network, shown in the list.
	The Civic Pioneers initiative was developed by the Home Office's Civil Renewal Unit in discussion with the Local Government Association and the Society for Local Authority Chief Executives. A Civic Pioneer is a local authority committed to the ethos of community engagement, and is willing to share its experience in empowering local people in shaping public policies and services. Local authorities were invited to put themselves forward in working with the Home Office to develop and promote effective practices in support of this agenda. The scheme is voluntary and there is no funding attached to membership.
	Birmingham City Council
	Bradford Metropolitan District Council
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Croydon
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	Harlow District Council
	High Peak Borough and Derbyshire Dales District Councils (Joint)
	Ipswich Borough Council
	Leeds City Council
	Liverpool City Council
	Manchester City Council
	Middlesbrough Borough Council
	Newcastle City Council
	London Borough of Newham
	Plymouth City Council
	Portsmouth City Council
	Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
	Sheffield City Council
	Slough Borough Council
	South Somerset District Council
	London Borough of Southwark
	Wolverhampton City Council
	With 3 attached as associates:
	Salford City Council
	South Tyneside Council
	Wiltshire County Council

Corporate Fraud

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to encourage firms to report incidents of corporate fraud to the police; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Criminal offences, including incidents of fraud, should be reported to the police.
	A large amount of fraud can be prevented if organisations have proper fraud prevention measures in place and individuals take simple precautions to protect themselves. Government therefore works closely with the finance and retail sectors as well as with the police to combat fraud and takes an active role in improving public awareness of fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim.
	For firms which are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Financial Services and Markets Act gives the FSA a role in preventing financial crime, including fraud. The FSA handbook includes a requirement that firms take reasonable care to establish and maintain effective systems and controls for countering the risk that they might be used to further financial crime and there is also an explicit requirement to report significant fraud. The combined code on corporate governance similarly requires all listed companies to maintain sound systems of internal control so as to safeguard company assets against relevant business risks, including the risk of fraud.
	Terms of reference for a wide-ranging cross Government review of fraud were announced by the Attorney-General on 27 October 2005. The review will look at the scale of the problem, the appropriate role for Government in dealing with fraud and how resources could best be spent to maximise value for money across the system.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 5 July, 19 July and 5 October regarding a constituent, Mr. Rastgouy; what the average response time to hon. Members' inquiries to the immigration and nationality directorate is; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 12 December.

Credit Card Crime

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many stolen credit cards have been reported in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much has been reported as stolen through fraudulent use of credit cards in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office does not keep statistics on the number of stolen credit cards or how much money has been stolen through fraudulent use of credit cards.
	Industry figures produced by the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) show that UK plastic card fraud losses in the last five years have been:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 2004 504.8 
			 2003 420.4 
			 2002 424.6 
			 2001 411.5 
			 2000 317.0 
		
	
	The most recent APACS figures issued in November show that total card fraud losses in the six months to the end of June 2005 decreased by 13 percent. (from 252.6 million to 219.4 million) compared with the same period in 2004.

Crime Rates

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the change in (a) recorded crime rates and (b) crime detection rates was between 200304 and 200405 in each basic command unit in the Northumbria police area.

Hazel Blears: The requested information has been published in the online statistical bulletin 11/05 'Crime in England and Wales 2004/05', and can be accessed via the following links:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/bcu1.xls-offences recorded
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/bcu2.xls-offences detected
	From April 1999 to March 2004, Northumbria police force had fifteen basic command units (BCUs) within its area. With effect from April 2004, they were condensed to six BCUs by the force.
	As a result of this action, Northumbria BCU figures for 200304 and 200405 are not directly comparable.

Criminal Assets

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Home Office Annual Report, what percentage of the 84 million of criminal assets recovered in 200405 has been assigned to (a) front-line capacity and (b) local community objectives; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Of the 84 million of criminal assets recovered in 200405, 34 per cent. (28.5 million) was assigned to frontline capacity and 8.3 per cent. (7 million) to local community projects.

Cycling (Blue Flashing Lights)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent of the use of blue flashing lights by cyclists; and what guidance (a) he and (b) the Association of Chief Police Officers has issued regarding the implications for their use of the 1989 Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

Paul Goggins: No such assessment has been made and no such guidance has been issued.
	Chief officers of police are best placed to assess the nature and cause of cycling offences locally and to decide the most appropriate response.
	Under the 1989 road vehicles lighting regulations (as amended) blue flashing lights on pedal cycles are prohibited, unless the pedal cycle is being used for police, fire brigade or ambulance purposes. Flashing lights are now permitted on pedal cycles generally but must be white to the front and red to the rear.

Damages

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 10 largest amounts of damages paid out by his Department in the last year for which figures are available, indicating in each case the nature of the claim.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office Legal Advisors Branch, Treasury Solicitors Finance and Home Office Finance are unable to produce this information without disproportionate cost being incurred.

Departmental Estate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which buildings and sites used by his Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under plans for relocation.

Charles Clarke: The following buildings and sites formerly occupied by my Department and its agencies have ceased to be used under plans for relocation during the 12 month period to 30 November 2005:
	
		Table 1
		
			  Address 
		
		
			 Basingstoke Baring Centre, 35 Sarum Hill, RG21 1SS 
			 Blackpool Unit 8 Metropolitan Business Park, FY3 9LT 
			 Bracknell Bracknell Courthouse, Town Centre, RG12 1AE 
			 Bradford 7 Spring Gardens, Manningham, BD1 3EJ 
			 Brighton Bell Tower Industrial Estate, BN2 5RU 
			 Bristol Brunel House, 83 Newfoundland Road, BS2 9LU 
			 Chester 1 Stanley Place, CH1 2LU 
			 Croydon 47c Dartnell Road, CRO 6JB 
			 Croydon Leon House, 233 High Street, CRO 9XT 
			 Durham Andill House, Catchgate, North Road, DH9 8UW 
			 Folkestone 2 Plain Road, CT20 2QF 
			 Gainsborough Burbury House, 2 Morton Terrace, DN21 2RF 
			 Gatwick Platinum House, Gatwick Road, Crawley RH10 9RP 
			 Gillingham Dawes Street, Garage, ME7 5UQ 
			 Hastings 32 Wellington Square, TN34 1PN 
			 Hull Dock Office Chambers, New Cross Street, HU1 3NQ 
			 Hull Room 231 Queens House, Paragon Street, HU1 3NQ 
			 Hull Rooms 234/5/6 Queens House, Paragon Street, HU1 3NQ 
			 Hull 4X South Orbital Tr Est, Hedon Road, HU9 1NJ 
			 Hull Rooms 238/9 Queens House, Paragon Street, HU1 3NQ 
			 Hull Room 241 Queens House, Paragon Street HU1 3NQ 
			 Hull Clarence House, 6062 Clarence Street, HU9 1DN 
			 Ipswich Foundation House, IP4 1BJ 
			 Ipswich Gower Street, IP2 8EX 
			 Leeds 4th Floor, Devonshire House, 39 York Place, LS1 2ED 
			 Little Hulton 4 Haysbrook Road, M28 6AY 
			 Liverpool Cotton Exchange Building, Old Hall Street, L3 9LQ 
			 London 210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD 
			 London 4th Floor, 200 Tottenham Court Road, W1 0YY 
			 London 130 Powis Street, SE18 6NN 
			 London 2 Burgos Grove, SE10 8LL 
			 London 34 Greenwich High Road, SE10 8LW 
			 London 16 High Street, Hampton Wick, KT1 4DB 
			 London 32 Greenwich High Road, SE10 8LW 
			 London Grenadier House, 95105 Horseferry Road, SW1 
			 London 50 Queen Anne's Gate SW1 
			 London Waterloo Int. Terminal, Waterloo Road, SE1 7LT 
			 London 19 Allington Towers, SW1E 5EB 
			 Manchester Grove House, Skerton Road, M16 OWJ 
			 Market Drayton 10 Wilkinsons Walk, TF9 1PW 
			 Meir 26 Sandon Road, ST3 7DL 
			 Middlesbrough 18 Woodlands Road, TS1 3BE 
			 Middlesbrough 2 Longlands Road, TS4 2JL 
			 Newcastle 592/596 Welbeck Road, and Flat 5 Cowan Street, Walker, NE6 3AB 
			 Norwich 117 Sackville Place, NR3 1JU 
			 Nottingham Albion House, Canal Street, NG1 7EG 
			 Nottingham St. Anne's 38 Robin Hood Chase, NG3 4GY 
			 Penrith Clint Mill, Cornmarket, CA11 7HW 
			 Portsmouth Cumberland Business Centre, PO5 1DS 
			 Portsmouth Spring Gardens, PO1 2BT 
			 Port Talbot Emroch House, 46 Talbot Road (AP), SA13 1HU 
			 Port Talbot Green Park Industrial Estate, SA12 6NU 
			 Prescot 8 Derby Street, L34 3LG 
			 Reading Friar Street, RG1 1EX 
			 Reading 1 Wood Green Close, RG30 2AW 
			 Sheerness Unit 10a New Road, ME12 1DE 
			 Swansea Unifloc Building, 11/16 Adelaide Street, SA1 1QS 
			 Witney 41a High Street, OX28 6HP 
			 Yeovil 9 Bartlett Mews, 20 Oxford Road, BA21 5HR 
		
	
	The following buildings and sites are provisionally due to be closed under plans for relocation during the 12 month period from 1 December 2005:
	
		Table 2
		
			  Address 
		
		
			 Aberystwyth 23 Grays Inn Road, SY23 1QE 
			 Barnsley 6 Victoria Road, S70 2BB 
			 Bristol Tower House, Fairfax Street, BS1 3BT 
			 Bromley Crosby House, Elmfield Road, BR1 1LT 
			 Bromley 6 Beckenham Road, BR3 4LR 
			 Cambridge Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, CB4 1YG 
			 Crewe 47 Delamere Street, CW1 2JX 
			 Croydon Croydon MC, Barclay Road, CR9 3NE 
			 Croydon Church House, Old Palace Road, CRO 1AX 
			 Croydon 51 Wandle Road, CRO 1DF 
			 Croydon Sunley House, Bedford Park, CRO 2AP 
			 Derby Willow House, Willow Row, DE1 3NZ 
			 Derby Sitwell House, Babington Lane, DE1 2JT 
			 Durham 84 Claypath, DH1 1RG 
			 Lambeth Harpenden House, Norwood Road, SE27 9AZ 
			 Leicester 39 Millstone Lane, LE5 1JN 
			 Liverpool 1b and 1c Derby Lane, L13 6QA 
			 Liverpool Curtis House, 1d Derby Lane, Old Swan, L13 6QA 
			 Liverpool Albion House, 30 James Street, L2 7PS 
			 Liverpool 137/139 Breckwith Road North, Kirkby, L5 4QY 
			 Llandudno 18 Augusta Street, LL30 2AD 
			 London 85 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6PD 
			 London 401 St. John Street, EC1V 4RW 
			 London 71 Lordship Lane, Haringey N17 6RS 
			 London 53 Holloway Road, Islington N7 8 JD 
			 London Telfer House, Church Road, N6 4QJ 
			 Newport 19/20 Gold Tops, NP9 4UG 
			 Northampton 37/34 Regent Street, NN1 2LA 
			 Norwich Bishopsgate, NR1 6RS 
			 Norwich 22/24 Colgate, NR3 1BQ 
			 Norwich Palace Street, NR3 1RT 
			 Nottingham 6 The Ropewalk, NG1 5DT 
			 Oldbury 16 Church Square, B69 4DX 
			 Port Talbot Unit 48 Endeavour Close, Purcell Avenue, SA13 7PT 
			 Reading Castle Street, RG1 7SP 
			 Reading Crown House, Crown Street, RG1 2SE 
			 Scarborough 10/12 Falsgrave Road, YO12 SAT 
			 Scarborough 1 Roscoe Street, YO12 7BX 
			 Scarborough 1st and 2nd Floors 57a Westborough, YO11 1TU 
			 Shutton 10/12 Salisbury Street, CH5 1DR 
			 Southwark 123 Grove Park, SE5 8LD 
			 Swindon 1/2 Commercial Road, SN1 5NF 
			 Swindon 15 Milton Road, SN1 5NF 
			 West Bromwich 27 High Street, B70 8ND 
			 York The Hawkhills, Easingwold, YO61 3EG

Departmental Estate

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Charles Clarke: The information for projects, other than those related to national security and those costing less than 1 million, is set out in the following table. Details of projects that cost less than 1 million are not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Building projects planned for 200506
		
			  Agency/area  Project details Value ( million) 
		
		
			 NOMS Hmp AklingtonNew Kitchen 4.5 
			 NOMS HMP CardiffHealth Care Centre 8.1 
			 NOMS ChelmsfordNew Houseblock and Ancillaries 23.8 
			 NOMS HMP DurhamNew health care unit 4.9 
			 NOMS EverthorpeAncillary works 9.9 
			 NOMS HMP FranklandNew kitchen 4.5 
			 NOMS HMP GartreeHouseblock Ancillaries 8.3 
			 NOMS YJBSubstance misuse unit 1.3 
			 NOMS HMP Low NewtonPerimeter and New roofing 3 
			 NOMS HMP NewhallJuvenile Unit 4.3 
			 NOMS HMP NorwichHealth care Unit 2.9 
			 NOMS STC HassockfieldYoung womens unit 4.5

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office commissions a variety of social and scientific research in order to improve policy making, decision taking and to provide the public and Parliament with information necessary for informed debate and for future use. All high quality social research outputs will either be published by the Home Office, or permission granted for such outputs to be published elsewhere.
	The majority of social research is published as online reports, freely available on the Home Office website. Some works are still published in paper form, such as the Home Office research studies, and the summary publication: Findings. The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) Business Plan 200506 outlines the wide range of work carried out by HOSDB to deliver on the (recently published) HO Science and Innovation Strategy, increasing the effective use of physical sciences in Home Office business. The HOSDB Business Plan is available on the Home Office website. HOSDB is carrying out in excess of 100 science and technology projects to increase the capabilities of its stakeholders. As has been the case for many years, publications arising from the (non-classified) work will be made available in hard copy and (more recently) on the Home Office website.
	Other (classified) publications will be given a limited circulation and issued to key stakeholders in their preferred format as appropriate. The Forensic Science Service carries out projects funded by the Home Office Hard Science research and development fund. The results of these projects are published when appropriate in peer-reviewed journals.
	There are a number of other areas of the Department that also undertake research to inform policy development. The available information providing details of the research projects currently being undertaken across the Department and its agencies has been summarised in tables which will be placed in the Library, together with copies of the business plan for RDS NOMS.
	
		Immigration Research and Statistics Serviceresearch programme
		
			 Project title Description of objective of work Publication arrangements 
		
		
			 Longitudinal research with refugees   
			 Resettlement policy and practice Literature review of resettlement policy and practice in other developed countries and detailed policy analysis in four resettlement countries (USA, Canada, Netherlands and Sweden). The aim of this work is to identify the mechanisms through which other resettlement schemes operate, and effective practice Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Predeparture orientation Scoping study and systematic literature review about effective ways of preparing resettled refugees before they leave current location Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Longitudinal and cross-cultural methodological development: workshop Workshop with international experts on longitudinal and cross-cultural research methods to enable team to develop methods and tools that are acceptable Planned for early 2006 
			
			 Research with refugees arriving under the Gateway protection resettlement programme Longitudinal study to examine the integration and resettlement experiences of those arriving in the UK under the Quota Resettlement Programme Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Longitudinal survey of refugees (renamed from longitudinal survey of refugees and other migrants) Longitudinal study to examine the integration experiences of refugees Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Data linking Investigate the potential for linking DWP and HO databases and develop a method for accessing administrative data to support other longitudinal data collection No plans to publish 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 = Strategic statistics
	2 = Strategic research
	3 = Evaluation/OR
	4 = Performance analysis/policy support
	
		
			 Project title Description of objective of work Publication arrangements 
		
		
			 Managed and irregular migration   
			 Employer study Qualitative interviews with employers to establish the practices of recruitment and employment and attitudes towards migrants as a labour source Planned for mid 2006 
			
			 Worker Registration Schemeemployees experience Analysis of date sets held by WP(UK) to answer the question raised by Ministers on whether people on the WRS are returning home or remaining in the UK No plans to publish 
			
			 Increases in entry age for spousesevaluation of impacts on forced marriage Understand the impact that increasing the entry age for spouses has had on the incidence of forced marriages involving British citizens Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Illegally resident third country nationals in the EU member states: state approaches towards them, their profile and social situation Part of the work programme for the European Migration Network as agreed by the European Commission and member states. It is intended to collate data on approaches to illegal residence in different EU countries Publication date to be decided 
		
	
	
		
			 Project title Description of objective of work Publication arrangements 
		
		
			 Asylum processes, reception and returns   
			 Comparative European research on accommodation and reception processes and impacts Detailed comparative research on the use and impacts of accommodation centres in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Denmark Planned for early 2006 
			
			 Data linking Investigate the potential for linking DWP and HO databases and develop a method for accessing administrative data to support other longitudinal data collection No plans to publish 
			
			 Success factors in NASS dispersal To establish what factors contribute to successful dispersal (in terms of community relations) and how NASS can develop its practice and policies accordingly Planned for December 2005 
			
			 Section 9 implementation Assisting operational colleagues in producing a final evaluation that conforms to requisite standards. Undertaking inferential data analysis and assisting in development of qualitative code frames Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Developing Iraqi-focused voluntary return programmes A qualitative research project with Iraqi nationals, community leaders and relevant stakeholders Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Evaluation of Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programmes (VARRP)2004 To evaluate the programme on voluntary return, to assess effectiveness and make recommendations for future development Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Return of unaccompanied asylum seeker children To be determined Publication date to be decided 
		
	
	
		
			 Project title Description of objective of work Publication arrangements 
		
		
			 Community relations and refugee integration   
			 Review of the evidence on good practice and what works in integration of new migrants To review the evidence base regarding what works in the integration of refugees and other recent migrants, to inform a presentation at the 2004 UK National Integration Conference and, in the longer term, IRSS's research strategy Planned for early 2006 
			
			 Informing ethnic monitoring of passengers arriving at UK airports Request from Race Monitor to develop methodology to monitor passengers subjected to more rigorous examination Planned for mid 2006 
			
			 Data linking Investigate the potential for linking DWP and HO databases and develop a method for accessing administrative data to support other longitudinal data collection No plans to publish 
			
			 Evaluation of CF and ERF To evaluate the fund and identify cost effective interventions; to provide technical support to facilitate self-evaluation and development of interventions: reception, return, integration. Funded by ERF and CF. Three sub-projects (Evaluation 200304, Impact 200304, Evaluation 200405) Publication date to be decided 
			
			 Evaluation of SUNRISE Evaluate implementation of first stage roll-out; provide data on outputs from SUNRISE Publication date to be decided

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office has welcomed the Strategy Unit Report Improving Life Chances for Disabled People. The package of recommendations put forward should deliver improved outcomes for disabled people, their families and society as a whole. Although the Home Office does not hold sole responsibility for the recommendations put forward, the department has responded positively by taking forward the joint recommendations as part of the work on public sector duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. The department, working closely with the new Office of Disability Issues and the Disability Rights Commission is reviewing its policies and services to identify the action needed to deliver equality for disabled people.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department were (a) civil servants, (b) contractors and (c) other staff in each year since 1997.

Charles Clarke: The number of staff who were (a) civil servants, (b) contractors, (c) other staff in each year since 1997 is as in the following table:
	
		
			  Home Office Prison Service 
			  Civil servant Contractors Others Civil servant Contractors 
		
		
			 1997 9,309   40,208  
			   
			 1998 8,029   42,101  
			   
			 1999 7,675   43,108  
			   
			 2000 9,230   43,931  
			   
			 2001 12,980   44,163  
			   
			 2002 13,573   45,586  
			   
			 2003 19,589   47,247  
			  -19,233 
			   
			 2004 19,729   48,620 466.1 
			  -19,267 
			   
			 2005 19,630 153 2,503 48,501 394.9 
			  -19,317 
		
	
	
		
			  FSC FSS UKPS 
			  Civil servant Contractors and others Civil servant Contractors and others Staff at end of year 
		
		
			 1997 177 n/a 1,157 104 2,125 
			   
			 1998 213 n/a 1,209 159 2,199 
			   
			 1999 148 n/a 1,481 228 1,970 
			   
			 2000 140 n/a 1,760 175 2,326 
			   
			 2001 150 n/a 2,042 265 2,757(76) 
			   
			 2002 (31) (31) 2,413 267 3,128(303) 
			   
			 2003 (31) (31) 2,521 208 2,656 
			   
			 2004 (31) (31) 2,579 118 3,100 
			   
			 2005 (31) (31) 2,531 111 3,190 
		
	
	(31) Moved outside HO Department

Departmental Staff

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civilian staff employed by his Department have been made redundant in each year since 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: The number of civilian staff employed by the Home Office Department who have been made redundant in each year since 1995 are as follows:
	
		
			  Home Office Prison Service United Kingdom Passport Service Forensic Science Service Fire Service College 
		
		
			 1995 22 Not available 0 0 8 
			 1996 26 Not available 0 8 0 
			 1997 12 Not available 0 47 0 
			 1998 3 12 0 0 0 
			 1999 2 16 0 1 0 
			 2000 2 14  0 0 
			 2001 2 8  0 1 
			 2002 6 14 10 0  
			 2003 3 5  84 Ceases to be HO agency 
			 2004 0 3  52  
			 2005 0 4  4

Direct Mail Contracts

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department how many contracts for direct mail were signed by his Department in (a) 200506 to date and (b) 200405; and what the value was in each case.

Charles Clarke: The Department has awarded one contract for direct mail in 200506. The value of the spend to date is 17,200. The Department did not award any contracts for direct mail in 200405.

DNA Profiles

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who have not been charged or cautioned for an offence have DNA profiles stored in the police national database; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: There are 139,463 people who have a DNA profile on the national DNA database (NDNAD) who have not been charged or cautioned with an offence.
	This figure comprises: 124,347 people who have a DNA profile on the NDNAD who have been arrested and subsequently not been charged or cautioned with an offence. This information was provided by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and obtained from the police national computer (PNC) which is linked to the NDNAD; and 15,116 volunteer sample profile records retained on the NDNAD.
	A volunteer sample is a DNA sample taken from an individual in relation to the investigation of an offence for elimination purposes and not as a result of the individual having been arrested in connection with an offence. The volunteer must give written consent to provide the sample; and can also volunteer to have their DNA profile held on the database by providing separate written consent for this. Volunteer samples may be taken from, for example, the victim of a crime, a third party, a member of a population identified for an intelligence-led screen or from an individual at their request.

DNA Profiles

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children under the age of 18 years have been added to the national DNA database in each year since 1996.

Andy Burnham: The estimated number of records of individuals aged 1017 years added to the national DNA database in each year since 1995 is shown in the following table. The figures take account of replicate sample records on the database.
	
		
			  Estimated number of 10 to 17-year-olds added to the database 
		
		
			 1995 3,163 
			 1996 11,719 
			 1997 18,387 
			 1998 32,810 
			 1999 42,631 
			 2000 70,627 
			 2001 95,471 
			 2002 96,359 
			 2003 86,291 
			 2004 101,503 
			 2005 to date 126,787

Domestic Violence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2005, Official Report, column 1253W, on domestic violence, what surveys on child and elder abuse have been undertaken by his Department in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has not undertaken any dedicated surveys on child and elder abuse.

Drug Testing (Drivers)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) unit cost per test and (b) cost of the necessary equipment for testing for drugs while driving is using the latest methods of testing saliva; whether he plans to make these tests available for roadside testing; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 amends the Road Traffic Act 1988 to authorise the police to conduct compulsory roadside test for impairment and for the presence of drugs. Any equipment used to test for drugs by testing a specimen of sweat or saliva must be of a type approved by the Secretary of State. Since there is as yet no such equipment, tests cannot at present be conducted. It is therefore not possible to give the unit cost per test or the cost of the equipment necessary to conduct the test.
	A detailed device specification is currently in preparation. We hope this will be available in early 2006. Manufacturers will then be able to submit to the rigorous type approval process any device they have developed which complies with the specification.

Drugs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish drug seizure and offender statistics for England and Wales for 2003; and what the reasons are for the delay in publication.

Paul Goggins: These statistics have been published within Drug offenders in England and Wales 2003 (findings 256, 1 March 2005) and Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2003 (findings 265, 25 August 2005). Both of these publications, along with respective supplementary tables, are available online at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/rfpubs1.htm.

Drugs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were sentenced to immediate custody for unlawful possession of cannabis in 2004 in cases where that was the most serious offence for which the individual was sentenced.

Paul Goggins: There were 161 persons sentenced to immediate custody for possession of cannabis, out of 13,302 sentenced for this offence in 2004. These figures relate to cases where the possession offence attracted the highest penalty.

Drugs

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests, (b) convictions and (c) cautions for offences relating to (i) possession and (ii) dealing in class (A) A, (B) B and (C) C drugs there were in each police authority area in 2004.

Paul Goggins: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of cautions and convictions for possession of and dealing in drugs in 2004, broken down by class of drug, is provided in the following table.
	The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
	
		Number of offenders cautioned for selected drug offences, by police force area: England and Wales, 2004
		
			 Offence: Supplying or offering to supply (or being concerned in supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug) 
			 Statute: Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 S4(3) 
			 Police force area Class A drugs Class B drugs Class C drugs 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset  1 1 
			 Cheshire 2   
			 Cumbria 1   
			 Cambridgeshire  1 3 
			 Cleveland  1  
			 Cumbria  2  
			 Derbyshire   1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 4 7 
			 Dorset 1  1 
			 Durham  1  
			 Essex 1 3 4 
			 Gloucestershire  2 1 
			 Greater Manchester 2 2 10 
			 Hampshire  2 3 
			 Hertfordshire 2   
			 Humberside 1 3 1 
			 Kent 2 3 3 
			 Lancashire 2 1 4 
			 Leicestershire 1 4  
			 Lincolnshire 1 4  
			 London 14 17 28 
			 Merseyside 4   
			 Norfolk 3   
			 North Yorkshire 2 2 5 
			 Northamptonshire 3   
			 Northumbria 3 4 5 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 1  
			 South Yorkshire  1 1 
			 Staffordshire 3 3  
			 Suffolk 2 6 4 
			 Surrey 5 1 8 
			 Sussex 2 2 2 
			 Thames Valley 4 4 2 
			 Warwickshire 4 3 1 
			 West Mercia 5 3 5 
			 West Midlands 5 1 8 
			 West Yorkshire 11 2 4 
			 Dyfed-Powys 2 8  
			 Gwent  1 2 
			 North Wales  1 6 
			 South Wales 3 2 2 
			 
			 England and Wales 94 96 122 
		
	
	
		Number of offenders cautioned for selected drug offences, by police force area: England and Wales, 2004
		
			 Offence: Having possession of a controlled drug 
			 Statute: Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 S.5(2) 
			 Police force area Class A drugs Class B drugs Class C drugs 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 233 189 188 
			 Bedfordshire 2 26 25 
			 Cambridgeshire 59 72 160 
			 Cheshire 77 201 9 
			 Cleveland 49 80 131 
			 Cumbria 74 79 171 
			 Derbyshire 18 44 70 
			 Devon and Cornwall 84 212 39 
			 Dorset 68 81 171 
			 Durham 57 66 104 
			 Essex 34 25 256 
			 Gloucestershire 77 213 234 
			 Greater Manchester 192 230 835 
			 Hampshire 171 193 546 
			 Hertfordshire 62 60 219 
			 Humberside 56 207 126 
			 Kent 99 292 227 
			 Lancashire 260 406 540 
			 Leicestershire 29 445 119 
			 Lincolnshire 15 135 5 
			 London 769 2,674 3,373 
			 Merseyside 174 100 733 
			 Norfolk 89 46 189 
			 North Yorkshire 7 9 17 
			 Northamptonshire 51 67 290 
			 Northumbria 761 778 634 
			 Nottinghamshire 43 327 1 
			 South Yorkshire 81 63 216 
			 Staffordshire 198 467 5 
			 Suffolk 47 82 201 
			 Surrey 81 90 356 
			 Sussex 176 291 313 
			 Thames Valley 235 150 647 
			 Warwickshire 84 61 92 
			 West Mercia 130 116 415 
			 West Midlands 229 310 1,246 
			 West Yorkshire 242 389 660 
			 Wiltshire 27 30 167 
			 Dyfed-Powys 90 494 15 
			 Gwent 7 13 172 
			 North Wales 135 162 289 
			 South Wales 204 139 399 
			 
			 England and Wales 5,576 10,114 14,605 
		
	
	
		Number of offenders cautioned for selected drug offences, by police force area: England and Wales, 2004
		
			 Offence: Having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply 
			 Statute: Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 S.5(3) 
			 Police force area Class A drugs Class B drugs Class C drugs 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset  5 2 
			 Bedfordshire  1 2 
			 Cambridgeshire  1 5 
			 Cheshire 4 1 1 
			 Cleveland 6 6 2 
			 Cumbria 2 1 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall  1 2 
			 Dorset 1 1 1 
			 Durham   1 
			 Essex 1  2 
			 Gloucestershire 6 14  
			 Greater Manchester 3 4 10 
			 Hampshire  1 3 
			 Hertfordshire 3 1 7 
			 Humberside 2   
			 Kent 3 9 7 
			 Lancashire 2 6 3 
			 Leicestershire  1  
			 Lincolnshire  4  
			 London 30 57 108 
			 Merseyside 1  2 
			 Norfolk 4 6  
			 Northamptonshire 2   
			 Northumbria 5 10 2 
			 Nottinghamshire 4 17  
			 South Yorkshire 3 2 4 
			 Staffordshire 3 2 1 
			 Suffolk 5 4 5 
			 Surrey 3 12 27 
			 Sussex 1 4 7 
			 Thames Valley 2 3 3 
			 Warwickshire 1 2 1 
			 West Mercia 1 4 4 
			 West Midlands 7 6 23 
			 West Yorkshire 30 16 37 
			 Wiltshire 1  1 
			 Dyfed-Powys  3 2 
			 North Wales   1 
			 South Wales 1 2 3 
			 
			 England and Wales 137 207 280 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. These data are on the principal offence basis.
	2. Includes City of London police force area.
	Source:
	RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform.

Drunk and Disorderly

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many assaults recorded in the last five years in (a) London, (b) Havering and (c) Romford alcohol consumption was a contributing factor.

Paul Goggins: From the information collected on recorded crime it is not possible to identify those assaults which are alcohol-related. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in the data series.

Economic Crime Units

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the size is of the Economic Crime Unit of each police force in England.

Hazel Blears: This information is not held centrally. It is for the chief officer of each force to determine how to allocate the resources, including staff, at his/her disposal, taking into account local and national policing priorities.

EU Criminal Intelligence

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the development of an EU criminal intelligence model.

Paul Goggins: The criminal intelligence model being developed in the Council of the European Union is a cyclical intelligence process based on Europol's organised crime threat assessment. The Government are pleased that during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU agreement has been reached that Europol will produce a first threat assessment by April 2006. This will provide a new basis for Ministers in the Council to set strategic organised crime priorities.
	It will also provide operational leads that member states can pursue through initiating major cross-border investigations to disrupt significant criminal activity. The intelligence cycle will be completed with the results and intelligence generated by cross-border investigations being recycled to support the next round of the threat assessment.

European Commission (Anti-crime Measures)

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the European Commission's proposals to establish a specialised investigation or prosecutorial body for dealing with the investigation of cases linked with organised crime.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1527W.

General Group Managed Migration Directorate

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's target is for (a) an acknowledgement of and (b) a substantive response to correspondence received by the General Group Managed Migration Directorate.

Charles Clarke: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) receives well over 1 million pieces of correspondence each year. The IND's policy is to acknowledge the receipt of all immigration, asylum, asylum support and citizenship applications either by sending a letter or issuing a form. We aim to acknowledge all new applications within one week of receipt. If there is a problem with the payment in connection with an application, the applicant will receive a reply rather than an acknowledgement. Other casework-related correspondence is not at present routinely acknowledged. General Group deals with casework correspondence as part of substantive consideration of applications. Service standards for decisions depend upon the type of application made and are published on the IND website.

Influenza Pandemic

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1061W, on the influenza pandemic, if he will (a) publish the assessment and (b) place a copy in the Library when it is put to Ministers.

Paul Goggins: I anticipate that draft guidance will be circulated to stakeholders early next year: a copy of the draft guidance will be placed in the House Library.

Licensing Act

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra resources he is providing to (a) police authorities and (b) other bodies to implement the Licensing Act 2003.

Hazel Blears: On 5 December 2005 I announced the provisional funding settlement for Police Authorities in England and Wales for 200607 and 200708. Government grant and central spending on services for the police will have increased by 56 per cent. or almost 4 billion between 200001 and 200708. Allocation of resources between activities is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, in the context of local police authority plans.
	Streamlining administrative licensing processes by the police under the Licensing Act 2003 should lead to a saving of up to 15million annually. The Act gives the police further powers to tackle alcohol related disorder, for example, by allowing temporary or permanent reductions in trading hours. Through the Violent Crime Reduction Bill we are also introducing further powers for the police to help them tackle the problems of alcohol related crime or disorder.
	We have also recently announced funding of 2.5 million to boost a range of operations to crack down on alcohol-related disorder; the sale of alcohol to under-18s and drunks; and the closure of problem premises.

Mobile Speed Cameras

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the mobile speed camera LTI 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The version of the LTI 20.20 speed meter that is type-approved for use by the police underwent very rigorous field and laboratory testing prior to the grant of type approval. It is self-calibrating and has an internal fault reporting system. All speed cameras are also subject to an annual check to ensure their continuing reliability.
	I am satisfied that the device operates to a high degree of accuracy when used in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Motor Vehicles (Safety Equipment)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of offences under section (A) 1 and (B) 2 of the Motor Vehicles (Safety Equipment for Children) Act 1991 in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the Act.

Paul Goggins: Statistics on the number of persons charged with a crime are not centrally collected.
	There are no offences under The Motor Vehicles (Safety Equipment for Children) Act 1991.
	The Motor Vehicles (Safety Equipment for Children) Act 1991 enables regulations to be made about the type of restraints (e.g. car child seats) to be used by children in motor vehicles. It also covers the information to be provided on the installation and use of such restraints.
	No such regulations have been made. Instead, provisions for child restraints are included in the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993 No 176) and the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993 No 31) made under sections 14 and 15 (as amended) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
	Those Regulations refer to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No 1078) which demand that child restraints satisfy the requirements of the British Standards Institute or the international requirements of EC Directive 77/541/EEC or Regulation 44 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. In addition to performance standards, these include requirements for installation instructions to be provided with new restraints.

National Firearms Register/National Identity  Card Project

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget is for (a) the National Firearms Register and (b) the National Identity Card project for each year from 200203; and how many staff from his Department are working on each.

Hazel Blears: The Police Information Technology Organisation's (PITO) budget for the National Firearms Licensing Management System for 200203 was 997,000 (8), 200304 was 1,625,000 (5) and for 200405 it was 1,400,000 (5).
	The Project Manager and Project Support Officer are the only people employed on this project full time. All other areas of PITO contribute time as and when needed. The figure in brackets represents the number of full time equivalents for each year.
	The Identity Cards Programme expenditure for 200203 was 280,801.94, for 200304 it was 1,035,717.55 and for 200405 it was 12,376,637.77.
	A total of 49 Home Office staff are employed on the Identity Cards Programme. Within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) there are 6.9 people (full time equivalent) working on the ID cards project. A number of people at United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) work on the ID cards project, although none exclusively, in terms of full-time equivalent there were 3.2 UKPS staff working on the ID cards project.

Passports

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passport photographs were rejected for not meeting the required standards in the last year for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) have not retained detailed data on the reasons for rejection of applications in the past. As such, it is not possible to answer this question for the full year as requested. UKPS have manually kept photo rejection data from 12 September 2005. For the period of 18 September 2005 to 4 December 2005, UKPS rejected 12.5 per cent. of applications due to passport photograph standards.
	Prior to the implementation of the new photographic standards, data is not available.

People Trafficking

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government have not yet ratified the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Paul Goggins: The Government have not yet taken a final decision on whether to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Whilst we support the aims of the Convention, there are provisions which present concerns for the UK and which remain under active consideration.
	The Government have in place a multi-faceted strategy to tackle trafficking in human beings. We are determined that the measures we take both protect the victims of trafficking and bring the criminals responsible for this serious organised crime to justice.

Police

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sanctions exist for misuse of confidential information relating to activities of the police by (a) elected local representatives and (b) police authority members, their advisers or employees.

Hazel Blears: Local authorities and police authorities are required to adopt a Code of Conduct that sets out rules governing the behaviour of their members, including the disclosure of confidential information. The Standards Board for England can consider any written allegations it receives that claim a member has breached that Code. Police authority employees or advisors are not covered by this Code. Police authority employees have an employment contract that sets out the action that may be taken for misuse of confidential information. Inappropriate use of information by police authority advisers is deemed to be a 'breach of trust' by the police authority. Authorities have a range of processes for dealing with inappropriate use of information, but no central established procedures.

Police

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions (a) before and (b) after 26 October on which (i) the chief constable and (ii) other senior police officers of the Surrey constabulary contacted hon. Members representing constituencies in Surrey about the Terrorism Bill; and what form that contact took.

Charles Clarke: This is a matter for the chief constable of Surrey.

Police

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the pilot scheme on hand-held computers for police officers on the beat to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Police Information Technology Organisation is currently working with a small number of forces on trialling the use of hand-held computers. The trials are expected to be completed by mid 2006 and the results will be circulated to all forces.

Police

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been allocated to the London borough of Barnet in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information for Barnet borough Operational Command Unit is set out in the following table. Data on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level has only been collected since 2002. Deployment of police resources to Barnet is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
	
		Barnet borough operational command unit police officer numbers, 2002 to 2005
		
			 As at 31 March Number of officers(32) 
		
		
			 2002(33) 514 
			 2003(34) 522 
			 2004 541 
			 2005 561 
		
	
	(32) Full-time equivalent numbers.
	(33) Data collected by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	(34) From 2003 collected by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.

Police

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which police authorities have agreed joint protocols with local authorities in their areas for management of cases of children reported missing from home or care;
	(2)  which police authorities use (a) computerised and (b) paper-based recording and case management systems for reports of children missing from home or care;
	(3)  what information is centrally recorded on the number of children and young people reported missing to the police; for how long such information is held; and for what purposes it is used;
	(4)  which police authorities meet the missing person case management recording and investigation standards published by the Association of Chief Police Officers in 2005.

Hazel Blears: Information on protocols with local authorities and police forces meeting the relevant Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) standards is not centrally held. A Centrex implementation team is assisting police forces to achieve compliance with the ACPO standards with a target date of April 2006. Police forces with IT systems for handling missing persons reports are set out in the following list.
	Information on missing persons reported to the police is held centrally on the police national computer (PNC)name, date of birth, sex, description, date when person went missing, date reported to the police, circumstances of the disappearance and force reference numberand in the Police National Missing Persons Bureau (PNMPB)full descriptive information relating to missing person and circumstances of disappearance, investigative considerations, person making the report and next of kin. All unresolved cases are held indefinitely.
	Reporting to the PNC permits forces in the UK to identify a person reported missing and to respond appropriately. PNMPB records permit comparison of missing person reports and notification to police forces or Interpol. The PNMPB also prepares quarterly statistics including missing males/females under fourteen years of age, between fourteen and seventeen and aged eighteen and over.
	The best information to hand at the present time relating to IT systems in forces shows that the following have such systems:-
	Avon and Somerset
	Derbyshire
	Gloucestershire
	Greater Manchester police
	Hampshirein development
	Hertfordshire
	Lancashire
	Leicestershire
	Lincolnshirein development
	Metropolitan police
	Norfolk
	North Wales
	Northamptonshirein development
	Nottinghamshire
	Staffordshire
	South Yorkshire
	Suffolk
	Surrey
	Thames Valley
	West Mercia
	West Midlands

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England and Wales use bicycles while patrolling; and what the figures were in (i) 1992, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997, (iv) 1998, (v) 2001 and (vi) 2004.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected.

Police

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are serving in (a) Essex and (b) England and Wales; what these figures represent per head of the population in each case; and how many police officers were serving in (i) Essex and (ii) England and Wales in 1997.

Hazel Blears: The number of police officers serving in Essex as at 31 March 2005, was 3,230 full-time equivalent (FTE), this constitutes 198 officers per 100,000 population. The number of police officers serving in England and Wales as at 31 March 2005 was 142,795 (FTE), this constitutes 270 officers per 100,000 population.
	As at 31 March 1997, there were 2,961 (FTE) police officers serving in Essex, this constitutes 196 officers per 100,000 population. The number of police officers serving in England and Wales as at 31 March 1997 was 127,158 (FTE), this constitutes 244 officers per 100,000 population.
	Following boundary changes with the Metropolitan police on 1 April 2000, parts of the Met area and resources were transferred to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey.

Police Basic Command Units

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police basic command units there were in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The available information is shown in the following table. Data on the number of Basic Command Units (BCUs) has only been collected since March 2002. The number of BCUs in each force is an operational matter for the chief constable.
	
		Number of basic command units in England and Wales 2002 to 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002(35) 284 
			 2003(36) 274 
			 2004 272 
			 2005 254 
		
	
	(35) Data collected by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	(36) From 2003 collected by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.

Police Force Mergers

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs associated with merging police forces.

Hazel Blears: I am aware that there will be initial upfront costs associated with developing strategic police forces. I have requested that as part of developing their proposals forces and authorities undertake a cost benefit analysis of the options that have been identified as suitable for progression. This will included estimates surrounding 'set up' costs. We will be in a better position to assess up front costs once final options have been submitted in December.
	Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary (HMIC) report has shown that although there will be upfront costs associated with developing strategic forces, there will be greater savings made through economies of scale resulting from restructuring.

Predictive Diallers

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls were made from call centres in his Department in 200405 using predictive diallers; how many such calls resulted in contact being made with the recipient without a Government agent available to talk to them; and what assessment he has made of the likely impact of Ofcom's policy on silent calls on the use of predictive diallers in departmental call centres.

Charles Clarke: None; the Department does not utilise predictive diallers in its call centres.

Private Members' Bills

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those Private Members' Bills introduced (a) under Standing Order No 14(6), (b) Standing Order No 23 and (c) Standing Order No 57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by his Department in each Session since 199798.

Charles Clarke: The information requested in not collected by the Department and providing it would incur disproportionate costs.

Proceeds of Crime Act

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the basis of apportionment was in 200405 for the incentivisation fund for recoveries under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Paul Goggins: As agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), under the police incentivisation scheme the police service would receive one-third of the total assets recovered over and above 40 million in 200405, increasing to one half in 200506. The Government are spending more than the first 40 million to support existing spending commitments in the asset recovery field. It was also agreed with ACPO that incentive payments would be based on the performance of each force in 200405 in the recovery of criminal assets. The amount allocated to each force was determined by its percentage contribution to the total value of cash forfeitures and confiscation orders obtained by the police service in 200405.

Proceeds of Crime Act

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) searches were carried out and (b) cash seizures were made in each of the last three years by (i) police officers and (ii) Customs officers exercising their powers under Part 5, chapter 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and how much cash was seized in each case.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of searches carried out by police and Customs officers is not held centrally. Information on the total number and value of cash seizures by (i) police officers and (ii) Customs officers in each of the last three years is set out in the following table.
	
		Cash detention orders
		
			  HMR and C Police 
			  Volume Value () Volume Value () 
		
		
			 200304 403 19,351,537.19 128 5,259,997.52 
			 200405 664 20,221,726.93 521 14,257,952.36 
			 200506 256 13,731,475.77 458 14,065,604.45

Rape Units

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in England and Wales have specialist rape units.

Paul Goggins: In the stock take of implementation of the Rape Action Plan 2002 carried out in September 2005, four police forces reported that they had specialist rape units staffed by Sexual Offence Liaison Officers.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regulatory impact assessments have been published in relation to legislation sponsored by his Department in each year since 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 998W, which gives details of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) from August 2001 to June 2005. The number of RIAs published before August 2001 was as follows:
	
		RIA Table
		
			  Number of RIAs 
		
		
			 1997 (July to December) (37)6 
			 1998 11 
			 1999 13 
			 2000 16 
			 2001 (January to July) 4 
			 Total 50 
		
	
	(37) Compliance cost assessments

Road Safety

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 8523W, on road safety, why figures on numbers of road traffic police officers are unavailable for years before 2003.

Paul Goggins: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) held data prior to 200203 on their Matrix database. However, following a software upgrade, this data was corrupted. It was unclear how long it would be before it was restored, so we provided the information that was currently available in order to meet the PQ deadline. This information is now available from 19992000 and is given in the following table.
	
		Police officers whose main function is Traffic(38), total for England and Wales, 200002
		
			 As at 31 March each year Full-time equivalent(39) 
		
		
			 2000 7,525 
			 2001 7,238 
			 2002 7,005 
		
	
	(38) Staff with multiple responsibilities(or designations) are recorded under their primary role or function.
	(39) Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.

Road Safety

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to allow persons guilty of an offence under section 14(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, in lieu of a fine, to attend a driving safety course paid for by the offender that includes instruction on the benefits of wearing seat belts; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Government are keen to use education as part of a penalty where it is appropriate. Rehabilitation courses for persons convicted of drink driving have been available nationally since 2000 and have proved successful. On this basis, we propose through the Road Safety Bill, currently under consideration in another place, to provide the courts with powers to refer people convicted of speeding and careless driving offences to retraining courses with the incentive of a reduction in disqualification or penalty points. There are no plans to extend the scope to non- endorsable offences including seat belt offences.

Roads (Policing Costs)

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of policing roads in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: This available information is set out in the table.
	
		Traffic and road safety expenditure in England and Wales
		
			  000 
		
		
			 200001 391,251 
			 200102 410,868 
			 200203 446,534 
			 200304 460,219 
			 200405 489,533 
		
	
	Source:
	Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) police statisticsactuals 200001 to 200304 and estimates 200405

Skills for Security

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's role was in the establishment of Skills for Security as a sector skills body for the security industry; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office has not been involved in the establishment of the new Skills for Security organisation. Traditionally, SITO (Security Industry Training Organisationa subsidiary company of the British Security Industry Association) had been the national occupation standards setting body for the industry. That work was carried out co-operatively between the BSIA, SITO and the Security Industry Authority. It was considered crucial for the future good of the industry that the experience and knowledge within the SITO organisation should not be lost.

Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what events are planned as part of 'Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives'; and when they will be held.

Paul Goggins: A key challenge faced by the Government are communicating the positive impact and tangible difference to communities that is being delivered by the Drug Strategy. To address this, a series of events have been organised that will engage communities directly.
	Nine public-facing regional events are taking place; one in each Government Office region. The events are designed to provide local communities with the opportunity to speak directly to Ministers and senior officials and hear what the Government are doing to tackle drugs. Events have taken place in the North West and the South West. The next event is due to take place in Hull, covering the Yorkshire and Humberside region, on 31 January 2006. Due to ministerial diary pressures, it is not yet possible to confirm the dates of the remaining regional events.

Terrorism

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to (a) develop the capacity of UK law enforcement agencies to detect and disrupt hostile reconnaissance of potential targets by terrorists and (b) to ensure that this work brings maximum benefit to (i) the public and (ii) commercial organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: The Home Office works closely with police forces and the intelligence agencies to develop the strategy in tackling terrorism. It is the operational responsibility of the police to develop tactics to address local terrorist activity. Forces across the country have operations in place to gather and analyse information on hostile reconnaissance of potentially targeted sites. The Metropolitan, City of London and other forces have projects to share information and skills with business.

UN Convention against Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the timetable to introduce the Orders in Council which will enable the United Kingdom to meet its remaining obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption will allow the UK to ratify the Convention before the end of 2005.

Paul Goggins: The formalities of ratification of the Convention are completed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office when they deposit the instrument of ratification with the body acting as depositary (in this case, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime based in Vienna). UK policy on ratifying treaties is that we move to formal ratification only when UK law is in compliance. The enabling legislation to achieve compliance requires four Orders in Council, two of which are the responsibility of the Home Office. Both of the Home Office Orders, which extend to England and Wales, were laid in Parliament on 25 November. The remaining two Orders are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office and the Scottish Parliament. All of the Orders are timetabled to come into force at the turn of the year.

Under-age Drinking (Penalty Notices)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State forthe Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for (a) selling alcohol to under-18s, (b) under-18s drinking alcohol, (c) attempting tobuy alcohol when under age and (d) selling alcohol toa person who is drunk; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) scheme was brought into effect in England and Wales during 200304 to provide the police with a quick and effective means of dealing with minor offences. Under the scheme an offender is issued with a fixed penalty notice and has 21 days in which to pay the penalty or request a court hearing.
	The numbers of penalty notices issued for offences related to selling and buying alcohol are provided in the table.
	
		Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder for certain offences relating to alcohol, England and Wales, 2004 and 2005(40)
		
			 Offence description 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Selling alcohol to person under 18 113 385 
			 Consumption of alcohol by under 18 in licensed premises 7 33 
			 Buying/attempting to buy alcohol by under 18  5 
			 Selling alcohol to drunken person  9 
		
	
	(40) Provisional data January-July 2005

Under-age Drinking (Penalty Notices)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) businesses and (b) individuals were prosecuted for supplying alcohol to youths under the age of 18 years in (i) England, (ii) Staffordshire and (iii) Tamworth constituency in each of the past five years.

Paul Goggins: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in England and Staffordshire police force area for Selling etc., intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 for consumption on the premises (including wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to a person under 18) 2000 to 2004 is contained in the following table. It is not possible to identify those prosecuted in Tamworth, as the data is not collected at this level of detail.
	The penalty notice for disorder scheme provides for persons who commit specified penalty offences to be issued with a fixed penalty notice instead of being prosecuted. The offence of selling alcohol to persons aged under 18 was added to the Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) scheme on one November 2004 for use on bar or off license staff. License holders will be prosecuted. The court has powers to declare a justices' licence forfeit on a second or subsequent conviction. The Licensing Act 2003 allows the court on conviction to suspend a personal licence for up to six months or to declare it forfeit for first conviction.
	In England, 112 penalty notices were issued for this offence in 2004 and provisional data for 2005 shows that 377 were issued to the end of July. In Staffordshire, no penalty notices were issued in 2004 or 2005 for this offence.
	
		Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for supplying alcohol to persons under 18 in Staffordshire police force area and England, 20041
		
			 Offence: Selling etc intoxicating liquor to person under 18 for consumption on the premises 
			 Statute: Licensing Act 1964 SS.169A and 169B as added by Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 S.1; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 S.3 [Schedule Para.4(1)] 
			   Proceeded against 
			  Area Business Persons 
		
		
			 2000 Staffordshire(42) n/a n/a 
			  England 1 115 
			 2001 Staffordshire   
			  England  146 
			 2002 Staffordshire  1 
			  England 2 147 
			 2003 Staffordshire  8 
			  England 28 533 
			 2004 Staffordshire  4 
			  England 21 733 
		
	
	
		
			 Offence: Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to a person under 18 
			 Statute: Licensing Act 1964 S.181A(1) as added by Licensing Act 1988 S.17 proceeded against 
			   Proceeded against 
			  Area Business Persons 
		
		
			 2000 Staffordshire(42) n/a n/a 
			  England  2 
			 2001 Staffordshire   
			  England  3 
			 2002 Staffordshire   
			  England  2 
			 2003 Staffordshire   
			  England  12 
			 2004 Staffordshire  1 
			  England  5 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	(41) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.
	(42) Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates' courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

Weapons Amnesty

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which local police forces in England have offered a weapons amnesty in each year since 1997;
	(2)  whether he plans to encourage local police forces to offer permanent weapon amnesties.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally. It is a matter for police forces in conjunction with the local Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether to hold an amnesty or hand-in scheme in respect of particular types of weapons. We are, however, developing plans for a knife amnesty in England and Wales in the new year.

TRANSPORT

A21 Upgrade

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about further public consultations for the proposed A21 upgrade.

Stephen Ladyman: A meeting was held on 7 December 2005, chaired by the Hurst Green Parish Council Chairman, where the Highways Agency discussed the plans to upgrade the A21 between Flimwell and Hurst Green with representatives of Goudhurst Parish Council, Hurst Green Parish Council, Hurst Green And Flimwell Chamber of Commerce, A21 Sussex Action Group, Cedar and Ringden Farms and councillors from Rother district council and East Sussex county council.
	The details of the meeting will be reported back to me shortly and I will write to my hon. Friend with further information.

Air Bags (Motor Vehicles)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has commissioned independent research on the efficiency of air bags in motor vehicles.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department completed research into the effectiveness of airbags in motor vehicles in 2003. The principal findings were presented at the International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Impact International Conference 2002. This project focused on obtaining an improved understanding of the overall benefits and risks involved with both front and side airbag deployments for a range of vehicle occupants. The project determined that in general frontal airbags offer extra protection to vehicle occupants, with significant overall benefits for head injuries. The benefits for thoracic injuries are less clear, and airbags are less effective at reducing injuries in certain types of accidents (such as angled impacts, pole impacts and high intrusion impacts). There is insufficient data available at present to draw any firm conclusions on the risks and benefits of deploying side airbags.

Aircraft Flight Plans

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many aircraft flight plans have been filed to the Integrated Flight Plans System for or on behalf of (a) the Central Intelligence Agency and (b) other departments or agencies of the United States Administration since the beginning of 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: UK law on civil air operations is governed by the UK's obligations under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944.
	Under the Rules of the Air established in Annex 2 to the Convention, the commander of an aircraft must file a flight plan for all flights that will cross international borders, and for most other flights that are engaged in commercial operations. For flights operating in European controlled airspace, flight plans are filed with the Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) at Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
	On receipt of the flight plan, the CFMU perform a number of checks before distributing the information to the relevant air traffic control units along the projected route of the aircraft. Each of the air traffic units, for example National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in the UK, then utilises the information in order to provide air traffic services for the flight.
	The flight plan provides information on the aircraft's identity (whether it is civil or state) and equipment, the point and time of departure, the route and altitude to be flown, the destination and estimated time of arrival, and the alternate airport to be used should landing be impossible. The flight plan also specifies whether the flight will be carried out under visual or instrument flight rules.
	Consequently, the Department does not hold the requested information.

Aircraft N829MG

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since September 2001 an aircraft with registration number N829MG has transited a United Kingdom airport carrying a passenger who was not of US nationality.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport has no records of an aircraft with registration N829MG having been granted a permit under article 138 of the Air Navigation Order 2005. Permission from the Secretary of State for Transport is only required by foreign aircraft operating civil flights into the UK where they land and take on board or discharge passengers or cargo, and where payment is given or promised in respect of that carriage.

Airports

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) paved and (b) unpaved airport runways there are in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions and (iv) Northern Ireland of (A) under 914 metres, (B) 914 to 1,523 metres, (C) 1,524 to 2,437 metres, (D) 2,438 to 3,047 metres and (E) over 3, 047 metres in length.

Karen Buck: The full information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Arriva Buses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much bus service operators grant has been claimed by Arriva buses in (a) England, (b) the North East Government Office Region and (c) the boroughs of the Tees Valley sub-region since 1995.

Karen Buck: We are unable to provide commercially confidential information.

Arriva Trains Wales

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains on the Arriva Trains Wales service between Birmingham and Aberystwyth did not (a) depart from and (b) arrive at Birmingham in the most recent period that figures are available; and what percentage of journeys on the line these figures represent.

Derek Twigg: Between 16 October and 12 November 2005 (Period 8), 112 services between Aberystwyth and Birmingham either terminated short of Birmingham or commenced outside Birmingham. This accounts for 24 per cent. of the scheduled services between Aberystwyth and Birmingham. This is due to a combination of speed restrictions and delays caused by other train services. It is for Network Rail to determine the location and duration of temporary speed restrictions.

Arriva Trains Wales

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much subsidy Arriva Trains Wales has received from his Department in each year since 2004; how much the company has paid in penalties in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Arriva Trains Wales received a total cash subsidy of 46.4 million for the period from franchise commencement on 8 December 2003 to 31 March 2004. It received a total cash subsidy of 97.8 million for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. No penalty payments were made by Arriva Trains Wales during either of these periods.

Bicycle Use (Environmental Effects)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what lifecycle analysis he has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated on the carbon dioxide emissions of bicycle use.

Stephen Ladyman: We are not aware of any detailed research in this area. Any carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the manufacture and distribution of bicycles are likely to be more than outweighed by the carbon savings associated with the use of the bicycle as a substitute for motorised transport over its lifetime.

British Transport Police

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional manpower he plans to allocate to the British Transport police for security duties on the London underground.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 13 December 2005
	The London underground area of the British Transport police is funded by London Underground and Transport for London. Since 200304, TfL/LU has funded an additional 200 police officers bringing the total for LU to 677.

C2C Line/One Rail

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains on (a) the C2C line and (b) One Rail were cancelled in the last year; and what the reason was for each cancellation.

Derek Twigg: The most recent performance summary indicates that the total train cancellations for year to date on C2C stands at 1,451 and 'One' Railway 6,815.
	In the last 12 months, punctuality figures for One and C2C were 93.7 per cent. Public Performance Measure (PPM) and 88.1 per cent. PPM respectively. PPM is the industry standard for measuring the proportion of trains arriving on time.
	Cancellations causation is grouped as follows:
	
		
			 Causation Summary 'ONE' cancellations C2C cancellations 
		
		
			 Depot-related Shunting incident, train preparation failure  3 
			 Operation Planning error, service recovery plan  14 
			 Train crew Lack of driver  225 
			 Fleet Technical fault, EMU availability failure  291 
			 Station Retail related  1 
			 External Weather, fatality  114 
			 Toc-on-Toc Effect of other operators  21 
			 Infrastructure Points Failures 158  
			 Infrastructure Poor Condition of Track/Broken Rail 133  
			 Infrastructure Miscellaneous 5101  
			 Infrastructure Overhead Power Supply 536  
			 Infrastructure Signal Failure 48  
			 Production Network Rail 110  
			 Production Train Planning 71  
			 Engineering Track Engineering Possessions 172  
			 Operations Fatalities 254  
			 Operations Line Side Fires 188  
			 Act of God Weather 44  
			 Infrastructure Network Rail  782 
			 Total  6,815 1,451

Car Sales

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) new and (b) second hand cars were sold in the UK in each financial year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of cars newly registered in Great Britain in each financial year are as follows:
	
		
			  Thousand 
		
		
			 199798 2,234 
			 199899 2,293 
			 19992000 2,297 
			 200001 2,363 
			 200102 2,639 
			 200203 2,669 
			 200304 2,681 
			 200405 2,544 
		
	
	Source:
	Vehicles database, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
	The number of second hand cars sold is not available.

Cheap Rail Tickets (Availability)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the availability of advance cheap rail tickets over the Christmas period.

Derek Twigg: No routine assessment is made of the availability of cheap airline, coach or train tickets. These fares are not regulated, so airlines, coach companies and train operators are free to set fares and manage availability to make the best use of their available capacity.

Cost Benefit Analyses

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial value is placed by his Department on the saving of a human life for the purposes of undertaking cost-benefit analysis of transport projects.

Karen Buck: holding answer 2 December 2005
	The Department estimate values for the prevention of road casualties for use in the appraisal of road schemes. These values are published in the annual Highways Economics Note No. 1 which can be found at www.dft.gov.uk.
	The Department also applies these values for the prevention of fatal casualties in the appraisal of rail schemes.

Crossrail

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will issue the consultation proposals for the funding of Crossrail.

Derek Twigg: As the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 19 July, the consultation on alternative funding mechanisms for Crossrail will take place after the conclusion of Sir Michael Lyons review of local government funding.

Crossrail

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the funding of Crossrail.

Derek Twigg: As the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 19 July, decisions on the balance of funding on Crossrail, including the planned consultation on the use of alternative funding mechanisms, will be made after the conclusion of Sir Michael Lyons' review of local government funding.

Crossrail

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the total estimated cost is for the construction of Crossrail;
	(2)  how the construction costs for Crossrail will be funded.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the parliamentary estimate of expense submitted with the Crossrail hybrid Bill. As the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 19 July, decisions on the balance of funding on Crossrail, including the planned consultation on use of alternative funding mechanisms, will be made after the conclusion of Sir Michael Lyons review of local government funding.

Crossrail

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the costs of the Crossrail project he expects to be met by (a) the Government and (b) the private sector.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the parliamentary estimate of expense submitted with the Crossrail hybrid Bill. As the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 19 July, decisions on the balance of funding on Crossrail, including the planned consultation on use of alternative funding mechanisms, will be made after the conclusion of Sir Michael Lyons review of local government funding.

Crossrail

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Department's latest estimate is of the projected costs of the Crossrail project, broken down by (a) central government funding and (b) London-generated funding; what assessment he has made of the local Government funding mechanisms that might be used to raise London-generated funds; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 December 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the parliamentary estimate of expense submitted with the Crossrail Hybrid Bill.
	As the Secretary of State made clear to the House on 19 July 2005, decisions on the balance of funding on Crossrailincluding the planned consultation on the use of alternative funding mechanisms to collect a London contributionwill be made after the conclusion of Sir Michael Lyons review of local government funding.

Departmental Estate

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid by his Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London.

Karen Buck: The requested information is as follows:
	(a) 27,161,852 (and 3,375,393 VAT).
	(b) A breakdown of rents paid on individual properties has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Data in respect of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency rent VAT payments and Highways Agency payments by property can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		(b)(i)
		
			  
			 Region Rent VAT Total 
		
		
			 East Midlands 1,082,047 98,848 1,180,895 
			 East of England 920,321 78,350 998,672 
			 London 9,434,469 1,456,771 10,891,240 
			 North East 631,644 76,498 708,141 
			 North West 1,000,700 73,479 1,074,179 
			 South East 4,581,120 657,037 5,238,156 
			 South West 2,331,536 292,080 2,623,616 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3,408,347 465,356 3,873,703 
		
	
	
		(b)(ii)
		
			  
			  Rent VAT Total 
		
		
			 England 23,390,184 3,198,418 26,588,602 
			 Northern Ireland 25,497 1,555 27,052 
			 Scotland 1,611,424 137,446 1,748,870 
			 Wales 2,134,747 37,974 2,172,721 
		
	
	(c) 9,434,469 (and 1,456,771 VAT).

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government departments.

Karen Buck: The Report recommended that local authorities should be encouraged to play a strategic role to ensure that disabled people do not experience barriers at any stage of the journeys they need to make. The Department has introduced Accessibility Planning within the next Local Transport Plans, requiring local authorities to identify the accessibility problems of individuals or communities in areas of social need and to produce plans for tackling them. The Department has also encouraged authorities to identify the needs of disabled people as part of that approach.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the EU (a) Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the transport industry, (b) Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the shipping industry and (c) Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in air transport have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provision was made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The only meeting to take place during this period was one meeting of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the shipping industry. The European Commission chairs the Committee and officials from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), Department for Transport (DfT) and DTI represented the UK. No provisions were made for the representation of the devolved Governments, as this is not a devolved issue.

Eurotunnel

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the cost of the civil engineering and building infrastructure maintenance strategy for the Eurotunnel concession under development by Eurotunnel;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the (a) timetable for and (b) costs of the completion of Operation TAPIS 2 by Eurotunnel;
	(3)  whether defects resulting from the detoriation of the upper track bed at its interface with the sleeper blocks in the Channel Tunnel have been remedied.

Derek Twigg: Eurotunnel's Operation TAPIS 2, to remedy defects resulting from the deterioration of the upper track bed at its interface with the sleeper blocks in the Channel Tunnel, was completed in the course of November 2005. It is part of an ongoing programme of corrective and preventive maintenance on the permanent way in the Tunnel. The work needed has been fully discussed between Eurotunnel and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority's safety experts.
	My Department does not hold details of the cost or of the schedule for completion of the TAPIS programme, which forms part of Eurotunnel's civil engineering and building infrastructure maintenance strategy and is a matter for Eurotunnel.

Eurotunnel

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) whether the avant-projets of Eurotunnel remain relevant and (b) the development of alternative procedures (i) for considering modifications to Eurotunnel's existing arrangements and (ii) for determining which modifications are sufficiently significant to require the involvement and agreement of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.

Derek Twigg: We understand that discussions have taken place, involving Eurotunnel, on the need to continue to update avant projets when changes are made, and on alternative methods of obtaining agreement to any further major changes in procedures or physical structures. These discussions are not concluded.
	It is for the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission, advised by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, to determine the extent to which Eurotunnel's avant projets remain relevant and the extent to which the Intergovernmental Commission needs to approve the development of alternative procedures for modifications to Eurotunnel's existing arrangements.
	Agreement to the original commissioning of the tunnel operation was on the basis of agreement by the Intergovernmental Commission to avant projets submitted by Eurotunnel, which described proposed structures and procedures.

General Lighthouse Fund

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many former overseas lighthouse keepers receive pensions from the General Lighthouse Fund.

Stephen Ladyman: 34 former overseas lighthouse keepers receive pensions from the General Lighthouse Fund.

Internet (Environmental Effects)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of changes in carbon dioxide emissions resulting from internet purchasing.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has not made any estimates of the carbon impacts of internet shopping.

Light Rail Schemes

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been (a) allocated and (b) spent directly by his Department on (i) the Leeds Supertram scheme and (ii) light rail schemes in England.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 15 December 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 5 October 2005, Official Report, column 2858W.
	The Department does not directly fund light rail schemes in England. It is for Passenger Transport Executives/Authorities and local authorities, as promoters of light rail schemes, to do so with funding provided by the Department.
	Around 39 million of public sector finance has been spent on Leeds Supertram. Of this, around 5 million has been spent on construction costs with around a further 14 million on land and property purchase.
	In 200405 the Department provided 6 million to the promoters of Leeds Supertram for scheme development costs, including advance works.

Lights Commissioners

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on hospitality by the Lights Commissioners in (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Republic of Ireland in each of the last three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
		
			   200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Northern Lighthouse Board Scotland and the Isle of Man 16,756 18,947 20,356 
			 Trinity House Lighthouse Service England and Wales 35,000 37,000 50,000 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland 5,000 4,200 4,500 
		
	
	The information for the Isle of Man is included in the figures for the Northern Lighthouse Board. The figures cover funding of internal and external functions that include staff and visitors from other General Lighthouse Authorities.

Liverpool City Council

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place between officials in his Department and the chief executive and officials of Liverpool city council since June; what means of communication were used in each case; and if he will place in the Library the (a) minutes and (b) submissions relating to such communications.

Derek Twigg: There were several telephone conversations with the chief executive of Liverpool city council in connection with the assurances the council might give in relation to the Merseytram scheme. There are no minutes or specific submissions recording these communications.
	A Liverpool officer recently attended the Department's street lighting PFI conference.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, if he will list the relevant bodies funding improvement extension schemes for the (a) Channel Tunnel Rail Link, (b) East London Line Extension and (c) Docklands Light Railway.

Karen Buck: The Channel Tunnel Rail Link extension is being funded by the Department for Transport. The temporary works to allow the operation of the Olympic Javelin Shuttle service in 2012 are being funded from the Olympics Budget.
	The East London Line Extension is being funded by Transport for London.
	Extensions to the Docklands Light Railway are being funded by Transport for London. However, a number of service enhancements and station improvements for the DLR are being funded from the Olympics budget.

Lorries/Commercial Vans

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new (a) lorries and (b) commercial vans were bought in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of lorries and commercial vans newly registered in Great Britain in each year are as follows:
	
		Thousand
		
			  Lorries Commercial vans 
		
		
			 1997 35 216 
			 1998 41 234 
			 1999 38 234 
			 2000 47 249 
			 2001 51 274 
			 2002 45 284 
			 2003 36 318 
			 2004 35 341 
		
	
	Source:
	Vehicles database, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

M1 (Junction 29)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to improve egress from the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway at junction 29 to reduce congestion; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: A Highways Agency scheme, designed to reduce congestion on the Northbound Exit Slip Road at Junction 29 of the M1 Motorway, is currently being prepared.
	The scheme consists of the signalisation of the Northbound Exit Slip Road at its interface with the Roundabout at Junction 29. There will also be localised realignment and widening of the carriageway to bring it up to current standards, together with improved signing and white lining to this slip road and the roundabout.
	The works are scheduled to commence on site in February 2006 and are expected to be complete by the end of March 2006.

Metrolink Tram Network (Manchester)

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the latest financial situation in relation to the Phase Three extension of the Metrolink tram network in Greater Manchester.

Derek Twigg: I refer my the hon. Member to the Statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport made on 16 December 2004 about committing public sector funding for Manchester's transport network.

Motorbikes

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many second hand motorbikes were purchased in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not available.

Motorised Mini-scooters

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what laws apply to the use of motorised mini-scooters on (a) public highways, (b) public land and (c) private land.

Stephen Ladyman: It is for the courts to provide an authoritative interpretation of the law, and two High Court judgments have confirmed miniature motor scooters to be motor vehicles within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended. We believe it likely that a similar ruling could be made on other vehicles, such as miniature motorcycles, should a court case arise.
	Motor vehicles on the public highway must meet relevant construction requirements and be registered, taxed, insured etc. Drivers/riders must hold an appropriate licence and where necessary wear a suitable helmet. Off-highway use is possible where landowners' permission (whether private or public landowners) is received.
	Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police. In addition police forces can counter irresponsible use of miniature motor scooters and other such vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002. This enables the police to seize vehicles being driven in a careless and inconsiderate manner or off-road without consent and in a way which causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
	I understand that the packaging on powered items such as miniature scooters or motorcycles generally includes a warning that they are not for highway use. However it may be that, once such packaging is discarded, this is overlooked or ignored. The Department has issued guidance on our website to remind purchasers and others about responsible use of these vehicles and about possible penalties for mis-use, while the Home Office has published advice on its TOGETHER website for practitioners tackling the associated mis-use. In addition, a number of local authorities and police forces are running initiatives to inform the public about these matters, and are taking action where offences are committed.

Motorised Mini-scooters

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) accidents and (b) casualties which arose in a year from the use of motorised mini-scooters.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Motorway Lighting

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a study to compare the number of night-time accidents on stretches of unlit motorway with stretches of motorway that have lighting; and if he will publish the conclusions.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency, who operate and manage the motorway network in England, have already instigated a project that is comparing night-time accidents on sections of lit and unlit roads. The aim is to review the benefit of road lighting on motorways by analysis of accident statistics. The findings will be incorporated into the revised national standard for the appraisal of road lighting provision on trunk roads and motorways, which is planned to be published towards the end of 2006.

Multi-modal Study (Tyneside)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action has been taken by Newcastle-upon-Tyne city council in response to his suggestion in the response to the Tyneside area multi-modal study that local authorities locate major generators of personal travel in areas best served by public transport.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The Newcastle Upon Tyne Unitary Development Plan (UDP), adopted in January 1998 guides the consideration of possible locations for major travel generating development. The UDP also provides the context for decisions upon individual planning applications. In addition, Government's national planning policy documentsprincipally, planning policy guidance and planning policy statementsprovide a context for the development of plans at the local level.
	In order to update and review the UDP, in consultation with the local community, the city council is producing a local development framework (LDF). The LDF will contain a suite of local development plan documents prepared under the powers of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
	Within the council's local development scheme,, effectively the LDF project plan of action, a key priority is to produce a core strategy development plan document which will be the subject of public consultation in 2006. The core strategy will provide a vision, strategic objectives, spatial strategy and an implementation framework for all other more detailed and site-specific development plans that will be produced in the city. It is these development plans that will help to shape how the city develops and regenerates over the current and next decade, including how development relates to the local transport system.

Parking Offences

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times bailiffs have been used to obtain money owed as a result of non-payment of penalty charge notices following the decriminalisation of parking offences; and in how many such cases the initial penalty charge notice has subsequently been found invalid.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Information on the number of times bailiffs have been used to obtain money owed as a result of non-payment of Penalty Charge Notices is not held centrally.

Port of Sharpness

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what security is available at the port of Sharpness; who provides the security; and how many hours per week the security is in place.

Stephen Ladyman: Sharpness Dock is permanently covered by a port facility security plan that was approved by the Department on 28 June 2004. Responsibility for implementing and exercising the plan rests with the port facility security officer who received Government accredited training in January 2004.

Potters Bar Rail Crash

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Coroner of Hertfordshire regarding the Potters Bar derailment.

Derek Twigg: The Department has received several communications about the timing of the decision to be taken by the Secretary of State on a public inquiry information on the costs of holding an inquest, and a paper outlining the coroner's views on the difficulties he might face in conducting the inquest into the deaths at Potters Bar. As a result of these representations, the Secretary of State has agreed, if necessary, to fund the coroner's costs for the inquest.

Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1852W, on buses, what mechanism exists to ensure that the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (a) are kept under review and (b) will be developed in line with technology.

Karen Buck: Regular working group meetings take place at official level with representatives of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. Officials also participate in international discussions, meet trade bodies, individual operators and manufacturers to ensure that standards remain appropriate and reflect developments in technology.

Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1852W, on buses, who the stakeholders affected by the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 are.

Karen Buck: The stakeholders are bus passengers, groups representing disabled people such as the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, bus operators, vehicle manufacturers and those organisations with responsibility for funding bus services.

Public Transport Accessibility (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve access to public transport for disabled people in Coventry South.

Karen Buck: 50 percent. of Travel Coventry's bus fleet are already low floor, wheelchair accessible vehicles.
	We are supporting, through the local transport plan, Coventry Primelines which is the first phase in Coventry's plans to introduce a city wide quality bus network expanding the bus showcase concept over a wider area. The programme of works include provision of bus boarders, dropped kerbs and tactile paving. There are also proposals to introduce CCTV where appropriate. The scheme started this year and is due to compete in 2009.
	At a national level there has been significant progress in making public transport accessible to disabled people through regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995). We made the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations in 2000 and many of the trains calling at the station comply with those. Disabled people in Coventry, for example, are benefiting from the RVAR compliant trains which are now serving their area.
	More generally disabled people in Coventry South as elsewhere in the country will also benefit from the provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005). We have already laid regulations which will, from December 2006, lift the transport exemption in Part 3 of the Act for land-based public transport, vehicle hire, breakdown services and vehicles used on leisure and tourism transport services. We will also be consulting shortly on draft regulations to set an end date of no later than 1 January 2020 for when all trains will have to meet the rail vehicle accessibility regulations and to apply those regulations to older trains when they are refurbished.

Railways

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with rail franchisees on linking extended franchise periods to increased investment in rolling stock.

Derek Twigg: Extensions to existing franchise periods are currently under discussion in only two cases; Silverlink and Central Trains. In both cases the extensions are for short periods and increased investment in rolling stock does not therefore form part of the discussions. No other extensions to existing franchises are currently planned.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the implications for high speed train passenger safety of passengers standing; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with train operating companies on passenger health and safety during periods of overcrowding on trains.

Derek Twigg: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the safety regulator for the railways, has not been persuaded that there are significant safety concerns associated with standing passengers travelling on high speed (or other) trains.
	A report by the Health and Safety Executive in 1999, entitled 'Implications of overcrowding on railways', concluded that whether a passenger on a train involved in an incident is sitting or standing makes little difference to the overall severity of any injuries sustained. A copy of this report is available in the House Library.
	As part of the approval process for rolling stock, the HSE takes into account the safety of both seated and standing passengers. Train operators monitor the levels of crowding on their trains.
	The Secretary of State has discussions with train operators on a wide range of topics, including how they respond to crowding.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average number of return journeys per week on the direct train service between Bath Spa station and London Waterloo station in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The information is not available in the form requested. Ticket sales figures include London as a destination but do not distinguish between different London termini. On average, there were 4700 return journeys between Bath Spa and London termini (London Paddington or London Waterloo) each week last year. The majority of these journeys would have been to London Paddington owing to the quicker journey time. Bath Spa -London Paddington takes one hour 50 minutes. Bath Spa- London Waterloo takes two hours 40 minutes.

Railways

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total length of rail track in the UK is; and what it was in 1997.

Derek Twigg: Network Rail advises that its network currently comprises 10,014 route miles. In 199798 the network was recorded as 10,350 route miles.
	Network Rail has advised that this 336 route mile difference in total network length appears to reflect primarily refinements to its methodology for collecting and collating track length data, rather than physical changes to the rail network. The Office of Rail Regulation has said that it has not specifically carried out a verification exercise on the change but believes Network Rail's explanation to be credible.
	Network Rail has said that the following factors might contribute towards the 336 mile total:
	transfer of use of track from heavy to light rail;
	closure of depots (freight, maintenance etc);
	closure or transfer of ownership of freight spurs and sidings;
	differences of definition e.g. whether routes no longer open to traffic are included or excluded;
	use of different source documents; and
	transfer of ownership of route from the national to the heritage rail network e.g. Wensleydale railway.

Railways

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has met representatives of the rail franchisees; where these meetings took place; how many people where present on each occasion; and if he will place copies of the minutes of these meetings in the Library.

Derek Twigg: Ministers meet on many occasions with rail franchisees. Matters discussed at many of them are confidential for commercial or other reasons. It would not therefore be practicable or appropriate to place minutes in the Library.

Railways

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what total (a) public and (b) private sector monies have been spent on capital infrastructure improvements on the (i) East Coast Mainline, (ii) West Coast Mainline and (iii) Paddington to Penzance line since privatisation.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold detailed records on the allocation of funding for renewal and improvement of the infrastructure for individual lines. Network Rail is responsible for the maintenance of infrastructure, within the funding limits determined by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). I have requested that Network Rail write to the hon. Member with the spending figures requested.

Railways

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) morning and (b) afternoon or evening (i) peak number of trains, (ii) number of passengers, (iii) number of passengers in excess capacity and (iv) proportion and total number of passengers in excess capacity was for each of the last five years for each train operating company service to and from London terminals.

Derek Twigg: Passengers in Excess of Capacity (PIXC) applies to weekday commuter trains arriving in London between 07:00 and 09:59 and those departing between 16:00 and 18:59. The measure is derived from the number of passengers travelling in excess of capacity on all services divided by the total number of people travelling, expressed as a percentage. PIXC counts are carried out once a year, on a typical weekday during the autumn.
	Focus is being given to improve timetabling, infrastructure maintenance, renewals and other factors that can impact on reliable delivery of train services, which in turn will impact on crowding levels. The Department will continue to review train counts and train plans to gain comfort that resources are being deployed effectively.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what efficiency and performance targets will be set for the new East Midlands rail franchise; and what sanctions will be imposed if the operator fails to meet them.

Derek Twigg: The specification of the new East Midlands franchise, including performance targets is currently being developed by the Department of Transport. The franchise specification is expected to go out to public consultation in summer 2006.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average percentage change in rail fares was in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Fares increased on average by 6.3 percent. in real terms from 1995 to 2005. Regulated fares (most commuter fares plus saver returns) decreased by 4.2 percent. over the same period.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been employed by (a) train operating companies and (b) railway companies in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The data requested is not held by the Department and the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers the UK's railways can transport at any one time.

Derek Twigg: There are an average of 3 million passenger journeys each day within the United Kingdom.
	Passenger numbers are increasing with patronage up 40 per cent. in the last 10 years. Britain has the fastest growing passenger use in Europe. Over 1 billion passengers used the UK railway in 2004.

Railways

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 1857W, on First Great Western Services, by whom records on the reliability and punctuality of railservices between London and Worcestershire are kept.

Derek Twigg: Records on the reliability and punctuality of rail services at the level of detail needed to establish the level of performance between London and Worcestershire are held by Network Rail.

Railways

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of his policy of promoting traffic restraint in major regional cities for the level of passenger rolling stock required for the commuter rail networks serving those cities.

Derek Twigg: It is for local transport authorities to determine the appropriate balance between transport modes in the context of their local transport plans and policies. As part of this process, they will need to take account of the capacity of their regional rail networks. The Department will continue to consult with relevant local transport authorities in developing the future specification of the railway.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent campaigns his Department has undertaken to tackle trespass on the railways by children.

Derek Twigg: Ministers have discussed with the industry action to reduce trespass and have supported initiatives undertaken by Partners Against Railway Crime, a partnership of rail industry organisations which co-ordinates campaigns to reduce trespass on the network. Activities specifically targeting at children have been branded as part of the track off' campaign and have included free resources for use in schools (including video material), teaching plans, community newsletters and speakers for talks in schools.

Railways

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times he met Network Rail in 2005; and what was discussed.

Derek Twigg: Ministers meet representatives of Network Rail on many occasions and a range of subjects are discussed.

Railways

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will lift the moratorium on considering rail passenger partnership support for the Newcastle-Blyth-Ashington rail line.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 15 December 2005
	There are no plans to re-instate the rail passenger partnership funding programme.

Railways

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for the publication of the full report and background paper produced for the Strategic Rail Authority on a north-south high speed rail line.

Derek Twigg: A summary of the Strategic Rail Authority's report on a north-south high-speed rail line is available in the House Library and from the Department for Transport's website.
	The full report is confidential because it includes potential route alignments, and could lead to severe planning blight if released.
	The Government has a manifesto commitment to look at the north-south high-speed link. This will be taken forward in the context of Sir Rod Eddington's study and the high-level output specification for the railways.

Railways

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 329W, on train operating companies, what the net performance bonus for each qualifying train operating company was in each year between 199798 and 200405; and what the difference between performance penalties and net performance bonuses was (a) for all train operating companies combined in each year between 199798 and 200405 and (b) for each train operating company during the period 199798 to 200405.

Derek Twigg: The performance regime the Department has in place with franchised train operators takes account of all train lateness on a train-by-train basis. When financial calculations are made every four-weeks, a single payment encompasses all the bonus and penalty elements occurring during that time period. These in turn aggregate into annual sums shown on the following table, which represent the net performance bonus to (or penalty payment from), each train operating company in each year requested. The amount shown is therefore the overall difference between performance penalties and bonuses.
	In addition to my answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, columns 32930W, I regret that an error occurred when the penalty cost figures quoted in my earlier answer were being compiled. The following table gives corrected figures.
	
		Performance regime penalties and bonuses by financial year, by passenger train operating company
		
			 000 
			 Train operator 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Anglia Railways 303 302 288 (221) (329) (3,160)   
			 Cardiff Railways 298 (1,423) (59) (73) 217
			 Central Trains 1,675 (1,651) (384) (8,804) (9,633) (10,910) (6,838) (11,348) 
			 Chiltern Railways (117) (276) (115) (467) (484) (846) (397) (189) 
			 Connex South Central/South Central 764 1,118 (1,020) (9,248) (5,978) (6,342) (12,828) (12,118) 
			 Connex South Eastern (974) (1,629) (2,040) (11,229) (5,746) (6,897) (2,895)  
			 South Eastern Trains   (2,998) (2,501) 
			 Cross Country 
			 Gatwick Express 
			 Great Eastern Railway (122) 541 325 (7,744) (5,579) (1,525)   
			 Great Northern Eastern Railway   (2,902) (2,447) 
			 Great Western  (2,452) (2,175) (1,978) (5,408) (2,610) (2,020) (1,058) 
			 Island Line (24) (14) (20) (41) (9) (12) (17) (25) 
			 LTS Rail (later c2c Rail) 1,391 747 34 (477) (2,540) (430) 371 1,844 
			 Mersey rail Electrics 178 (114) (346) (796) (641) 276   
			 Midland Mainline   (18) (15) 87
			 North Western Trains 2,078 238 1,982 (2,256) (3,455) (2,536) (1,448) (540) 
			 Regional Railways North East/Northern Spirit 1,331 1,761 625 (8,337) (7,611) (3,729) (1,111) (741) 
			 Northern 
			 Scotrail 6,986 6,280 5,402 (5,284) (9,999) (8,654) (2,820) (2,268) 
			 First Scotrail(178) 
			 Silver-link 844 (199) (254) (2,879) (2,854) (447) (90) 294 
			 South West Trains (1,281) (3,933) (3,657) (10,648) (12,776) (11,471) (10,186) 6,726 
			 Thames Trains/First Great Western Link (572) (2,224) (2,046) (4,291) (4,069) (4,173) (3,990) (4,700) 
			 Thameslink (49) (270) (668) (4,337) (3,325) (2,904) (2,844) (6,473) 
			 TransPennine Express   (50) (2,817) 
			 Wales and West 664 (378) 1,776 (4,497) (1,577)
			 West Anglia Great Northern (346) (452) (849) (8,833) (8,359) (6,380) (2,782) (1,767) 
			 West Coast Trains   (67) (15) (12) (88) (478) (80) 
			 Wales and Borders Trains/Arriva Trains Wales (1,329) (2,425) 1,386 179 
			 Wessex Trains (1,115) (3,354) (2,094) (1,398) 
			 Total 13,027 (4,028) (3,286) (92,470) (92,524) (78,617) (57,031) (41,605) 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Brackets indicate penalty payment by the operator shown.
	2. Unbracketed numbers indicate bonus payments to the operator concerned.
	3. No number entry indicates that the operator did not exist in the year concerned or was not subject to a performance regime during that year.

Railways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake an investigation into reliability of trains on Great Western lines; and if he will suspend the franchise process until reliability has improved.

Derek Twigg: Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail (who have overall responsibility for performance) and First Great Western and Wessex Trains to address performance trends. These are monitored monthly.
	The new Great Western franchise awarded to First Group plc, announced on 13 December contains clear and improving performance targets which the operator must meet.

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on imposing penalties on train operating companies for operating trains that are overcrowded; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: There are no proposals to apply penalties to train operating companies where trains are overcrowded. Train operators and Network Rail work together to make best use of available capacity to reduce overcrowding.
	Focus is being given to improve timetabling, infrastructure maintenance and renewals and other factors that can impact on reliable delivery of train services, which in turn will impact on crowding levels. We will continue to review train counts and train plans to assess that resources are being deployed effectively.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains have been removed from service in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: This information is not held centrally by the Department. However following major investment in the network, a total of around 4200 new vehicles have been brought into service since 1996. This has resulted in the replacement of around 2000 Mark 1 slam door vehicles. It has also led to complete fleet replacements on the C2C, West Coast and Cross Country passenger services and replacement of some vehicles on other routes which were approaching the end of their operating life.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many people have been carried on the UK's trains in each year since 1997; and how many people he expects to be carried in each of the next five years;
	(2)  how many passengers used the railways in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Information on the numbers of passengers that have used the railways in each year since 1997, is contained in the Office of Rail Regulation's publication, National Rail Trends, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.
	The Department for Transport's latest published projections for rail usage are set out in the paper The Future of Transport: Modelling and Analysis published on 21 March 2005. The central projection shows rail passenger kilometres increasing by 33 percent. between 2000 and 2010 implying growth of around 3.5 percent. a year for the rest of the decade.

Railways

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new trains have been purchased in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each new train was.

Derek Twigg: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Year of order Manufacturer Number of vehicles Estimated value ( million) 
		
		
			 1997 Bombardier 176 131 
			  Bombardier 34 33 
			  Bombardier 120 93 
			  Alstom 120 92 
			 
			 1998 Bombardier 24 23 
			  Bombardier 26 26 
			  Bombardier 29 29 
			  Bombardier 21 20 
			  Bombardier 8 7 
			  Bombardier 352 407 
			  Bombardier 27 25 
			  Bombardier 18 17 
			  Bombardier 90 70 
			  Alstom 64 46 
			  Alstom 40 41 
			  Alstom 70 78 
			  Alstom 120 100 
			 . CAF/Siemens 48 55 
			 
			 1999 Bombardier 6 7 
			  Bombardier 27 30 
			  Bombardier 10 10 
			  Alstom 30 33 
			  Alstom 477 630 
			 
			 2000 Bombardier 8 6 
			  Bombardier 9 9 
			  Bombardier 10 10 
			  Bombardier 16 18 
			  Bombardier 112 92 
			  CAF/Siemens 8 9 
			 
			 2001 Bombardier 10 11 
			  Bombardier 7 8 
			  Siemens 84 69 
			  Siemens 665 610 
			  CAF/Siemens 8 9 
			 
			 2002 Bombardier 8 8 
			  Bombardier 127 161 
			  Bombardier 700 602 
			  Bombardier 228 186 
			  Bombardier 180 153 
			  Bombardier 9 12 
			 
			 2003 Bombardier 87 103 
			  Bombardier 42 52 
			  Bombardier 6 8 
			  Siemens 153 200 
			 
			 2004 Siemens 120 125 
			 
			 2005 Bombardier 6 7 
			  Hitachi 168 235

Railways

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what models of break-glass hammers have been considered for approval for use on trains but have not been approved; and for what reasons in each case;
	(2)  what the assessment process is for the evaluation of break-glass hammers for trains to determine whether they are fit for purpose.
	(3)  what models of break-glass hammers are approved for use on trains.

Derek Twigg: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the independent health and safety regulator for rail. The emergency evacuation arrangements of rail carriages are approved by the HSE under the Railways and Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1964 (ROTS). These regulations require the train operator companies to ensure that break-glass hammers are fit for the purpose to which they are installed. HSE do not hold on record the types of hammers considered by train operators.
	The Rail Safety and Standards Board is currently undertaking research to determine the appropriate requirements for break-glass hammers as part of wider research into train evacuation.

Railways

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used for selecting models of break-glass hammers for approved use on trains.

Derek Twigg: It is the responsibility of the train operating company to ensure that the break-glass hammers they select and bring into service are fit for purpose. HSE do not themselves hold records on the types of hammers considered by train operating companies or the selection criteria used.

Railways

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department's assessment of break-glass hammers for trains to be completed.

Derek Twigg: The DfT is not conducting an assessment of break-glass hammers although the Rail Safety and Standards Board are currently undertaking research into passenger emergency evacuation procedures. This will include an assessment of the effectiveness of break-glass hammers.
	RSSB anticipate the assessment of break-glass hammers to be complete by Quarter 2 (AprilJune) 2006 with the whole report planned for completion by Quarter 3 (JulySeptember) 2006.

Rates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid by his Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.

Karen Buck: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The total paid in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	(a) (i) The total paid in each nation is as follows:
	
		
		
			 Nation Rates 200405 
		
		
			 England 9,702,688 
			 Northern Ireland 22,646 
			 Scotland 648,252 
			 Wales 1,156,602 
		
	
	(a) (ii) The total paid in each region of the UK is as follows:
	
		
		
			 Region Rates 200405 
		
		
			 East Midlands 471,148 
			 East of England 449,072 
			 London 4,320,470 
			 North East 247,800 
			 North West 394,397 
			 South East 953,330 
			 South West 689,831 
			 West Midlands 640,988 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 804,326 
		
	
	Owing to operational requirements The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's activities are organised across three regional boundaries: northern, western and eastern. These regional boundaries do not correspond to the Government office regional boundaries and the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate costs. The data in the table therefore does not include Maritime and Coastguard Agency sites.
	(b) The total paid in rates in London was 4,320,470.

Rebated Diesel Fuel

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the demand for rebated diesel fuel (a) for each year since 1997 and (b) for each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	Historic demand or clearances for rebated diesel fuel can be found on page 2 of the HM Revenue and Customs Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which is available on the HMRC website at: http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bullhydro.
	The excise duty receipts forecast for hydrocarbon oils was published in the pre-Budget report 2005, table B14.

Road Traffic (London)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 569W, on Road Traffic (London), if he will break down the figures provided by London borough.

Karen Buck: Transport for London has provided the following information on traffic signal sites 1 in each London borough:
	1 A traffic signal site is defined as a separate junction or pedestrian crossing.
	
		
			 London borough Installed base at 31 March 2000 Installed base at 31 March 2005 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 90 108 
			 Barnet 147 176 
			 Bexley 62 82 
			 Brent 124 147 
			 Bromley 104 118 
			 Camden 185 210 
			 City of London 79 81 
			 Croydon 173 183 
			 Ealing 147 180 
			 Enfield 100 118 
			 Greenwich 173 197 
			 Hackney 128 140 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 86 97 
			 Haringey 109 158 
			 Harrow 77 84 
			 Havering 101 121 
			 Hillingdon 115 128 
			 Hounslow 126 148 
			 Islington 102 138 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 122 132 
			 Kingston upon Thames 93 114 
			 Lambeth 179 222 
			 Lewisham 129 130 
			 Merton 130 146 
			 Newham 119 132 
			 Redbridge 117 142 
			 Richmond upon Thames 108 144 
			 Southwark 150 216 
			 Sutton 95 119 
			 Tower Hamlets 168 201 
			 Waltham Forest 77 100 
			 Wandsworth 165 199 
			 Westminster 356 367

Road Traffic Accidents

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost to the public purse of road traffic accidents in each year since 1997, broken down by category of severity of accident.

Stephen Ladyman: The values used to estimate the benefits of the prevention of road accidents are set out in the Highways Economic Note No. 1: 2004 Valuation of the Benefits of Prevention of Road Accidents and Casualties which can be found on the DfT website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/030763.hcsp.

Rolling Stock

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 325W, on rolling stock, 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of reasons for the difference in the number of orders placed in 1998 and 2003;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference in the numbers of new train vehicles ordered in 1996 and 2002; and what the value of each order of rolling stock was from (a) Bombardier, (b) Siemens, (c) Alstom and (d) CAF/Siemens in each year between 1996 and 2004;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the reasons why there were no orders for train vehicles assembled in the United Kingdom in 2004; and what assessment he has made of reasons for fluctuations in numbers of orders of train vehicles assembled in the United Kingdom in the period from 1996 to 2004.

Derek Twigg: Rolling Stock is ordered by train operators and rolling stock leasing companies not by the Department. The Department has not made an assessment of fluctuation in rolling stock orders.
	Large numbers of orders were placed between 1996 and 2002 as part of a major programme of rolling stock renewal. The majority of the new trains have now been delivered. There were no new orders in 2004 because orders had already been placed for the trains needed.
	The information requested is set out in the following tables. I regret that an error occurred when the figures for rolling stock orders quoted in my earlier answers of 29 November 2005, Official Report, Columns 32526W, were being compiled. The following four tables give corrected totals:
	
		Bombardier
		
			 Year of order Number of vehicles 
		
		
			 1996 12 
			 1997 330 
			 1998 595 
			 1999 33 
			 2000 155 
			 2001 10 
			 2002 1,116 
			 2003 135 
			 2004  
		
	
	
		Alstom
		
			 Year of order Number of vehicles 
		
		
			 1997 120 
			 1998 294 
			 1999 507 
		
	
	
		Manufacturer nationality and order by vehicles each year
		
			  Bombardier (Canadian)UK site. Siemens (German) Alstom (French) CAF/Siemens (Spanish / German) Hitachi (Japanese) 
		
		
			 1996 12 
			 1997 330  120   
			 1998 595  294 48  
			 1999 33  507   
			 2000 155   8  
			 2001 10 869
			 2002 1,243   8  
			 2003 135 153
			 2004  
			 2005 168 
		
	
	
		Number of orders by manufacturer and location of build
		
			 Year Bombardier (Canadian)(43) Siemens (German)(44) Alstom (French)(45) CAF/Siemens (Spanish / German)(46) Hitachi (Japanese) 
		
		
			 1996 1 
			 1997 3  1   
			 1998 9  4 1  
			 1999 2  2   
			 2000 5   1  
			 2001 1 2
			 2002 5   1  
			 2003 3 1
			 2004  
			 2005 1 
		
	
	(43) Bombardier vehicles built or assembled in the UK with the exception of 127 Meridians built in Brugge.
	(44) Siemens vehicles are all being built in Germany/Austria site.
	(45) Alstom built all their vehicles at Washwood Heath, Birmingham.
	(46) These vehicles were built in Spain.
	The following tables set out, by manufacturer, the number of vehicles and the total value of rolling stock orders placed in each year between 1996 and 2004:
	
		Bombardier
		
			  Number of vehicles in order Estimated value (million) 
		
		
			 1996 12 11 
			
			 1997 176 131 
			  34 33 
			  120 93 
			
			 1998 24 23 
			  26 26 
			  29 29 
			  21 20 
			  8 7 
			  352 407 
			  27 25 
			  18 17 
			  90 70 
			 1999 6 7 
			  27 30 
			
			 2000 8 6 
			  9 9 
			  10 10 
			  16 18 
			  112 92 
			
			 2001 10 11 
			
			 2002 8 8 
			  127 161 
			  700 602 
			  228 186 
			  180 153 
			
			 2003 87 103 
			  42 52 
			  6 8 
			
			 2004   
		
	
	
		Alstom
		
			  Number of vehicles in order Estimated value(million) 
		
		
			 1996   
			
			 1997 120 92 
			
			 1998 64 46 
			  40 41 
			  70 78 
			  120 100 
			
			 1999 30 33 
			  477 630 
			
			 2000   
			 2001   
			 2002   
			 2003   
			 2004   
		
	
	
		Siemens
		
			 Year Number of vehicles in order Estimated value (million) 
		
		
			 1996   
			 1997   
			 1998   
			 1999   
			 2000   
			
			 2001 84 69 
			  665 610 
			
			 2002   
			
			 2003 153 200 
			
			 2004 (47)120 125 
		
	
	(47) These vehicles were originally part of the 785 vehicle order for SWT which was later changed to 665 vehicles with the 120 vehicles being becoming part of the Silverlink franchise in 2004
	
		CAF/Siemens
		
			  Number of vehicles in order Estimated value (million) 
		
		
			 1996   
			 1997   
			 1998 48 55 
			 1999   
			 2000 8 9 
			 2001 8 9 
			 2002   
			 2003   
			 2004   
		
	
	
		Hitachi
		
			  Number of vehicles in order Estimated value (million) 
		
		
			 2005 168 235

Rolling Stock

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 326W on rolling stock, whether (a) old and (b) used train sets were procured for the United Kingdom in each year between 1994 and 2004.

Derek Twigg: No old or used trains sets were procured for UK railways in any of these years.

Ships

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many ships of over 1,000 gross register tons with registered owners in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland are identified as (i) barge carriers, (ii) bulk carriers, (iii) cargo ships, (iv) chemical tankers, (v) colliers, (vi) combination bulk carriers, (vii) combination tankers, (viii) container ships, (ix) liquefied gas tankers, (x) livestock carriers, (xi) multi-functional large-load carriers, (xii) passenger ferries, (xiii) passenger and cargo ships, (xiv) petroleum tankers, (xv) rail car carriers, (xvi) refrigerated cargo carriers, (xvii) roll-on/roll-off ferries, (xviii) short-sea passenger ferries, (xix) specialized tankers, (xx) vehicle carriers and (xxi) others;
	(2)  what the (a) gross register tons and (b) deadweight ton is of ships with registered owners in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) each of the English regions and (iv) Northern Ireland;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of ships registered abroad as flags of convenience with owners based in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not held by the Department.

Sonic Passive Defence Systems

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what frequency sonic passive defence systems on cruise ships use.

Stephen Ladyman: These devices are capable of emitting an extremely irritating noise at a frequency of around 2kHz.

St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place between officials in his Department and the chief executive of St. Helens metropolitan borough council since June; what means of communication was used in each case; and if he will place in the Library (a) minutes and (b) submissions relating to such communications.

Derek Twigg: There have been no such discussions.

Station Platforms (Accidents)

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with train operating companies on reducing the number of accidents on railway station platforms during periods of inclement winter weather.

Derek Twigg: This is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive's Railways Inspectorate, whose inspectors visit local stations to ensure that station managers have arrangements in place to deal with hazardous weather conditions.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Karen Buck: In financial year 200506, the Department for Transport has spent 43,702.79 on taxi travel within the UK up to the end of November.
	A regional breakdown of such travel within UK could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	This figure does not include the Department's agencies as they do not record taxi fares separately from other travel costs and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Trams

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost to (a) his Department and (b) the promoting authorities was of the development of the tram proposals in (i) Leeds, (ii) Merseyside and (iii) South Hampshire.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 6 July 2005, Official Report, column 479W.

Transport Infrastructure (East Sussex)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been spent on improvements in transport infrastructure in East Sussex since 1997; and what proportion of this expenditure was spent in Battle, East Sussex.

Karen Buck: Since the introduction of Local Transport Plans in 2000, East Sussex has received around 58 million for local transport improvements and maintenance schemes. In addition the county has received almost 5 million for major local transport schemes. We do not have the data to identify a figure separately for local transport investment in Battle. Funding for trunk roads is neither allocated nor recorded on a county by county basis but we can say that around 22 million has been invested in the following schemes in East Sussex since 2000: A27 Polegate Bypass (19.3 million); A27 Ashcombe Roundabout (1.3 million) and A21 John's Cross Roundabout (1.7 million). East Sussex has also benefited from the new trains and associated power supply and depot upgrades delivered as part of the Mark 1 slam door stock replacement programme, the total value of the investment being in the region of 2 billion.

Transport Infrastructure (East Sussex)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what representations he has received regarding the Battle Local Area Transport Strategy; and whether he will be implementing the strategy's recommendations;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received regarding improvements in transport infrastructure in Battle, East Sussex.

Karen Buck: None specifically. East Sussex county council submitted their provisional Local Transport Plan to Government in July this year. It includes the intention to take forward a number of Local Area Transport Strategies, including one for Battle. It will be for East Sussex county council to submit a final plan in March 2006 and to implement the strategies set-out within that plan.

UK Airspace (Access Denial)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years permission has been withheld to aircraft requesting access to UK airspace.

Karen Buck: International civil aviation is governed by the Chicago Convention. Under the convention, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is responsible for establishing minimum safety standards which contracting states are required to implement. States are required to recognise the certificates issued by other contracting states unless they have reason to believe that they have not been issued in accordance with ICAO standards.
	Any airline from outside the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland which wishes to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK requires a permit from the Secretary of State for Transport. It is a condition of the permit that the airline should be operated in accordance with international safety standards established by ICAO.
	If we have doubts about whether an aircraft or airline complies with international safety standards we will arrange for the aircraft to be inspected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Permits may be refused, and existing permits suspended or revoked by the Secretary of State. This may occur where there is a breach of a permit condition, which would include non-compliance with international safety standards; however action can also be taken for reasons other than safety. Permit decisions will be reviewed in the light of new information or changed circumstances. An up to date list of airlines which have been refused permits is maintained on the Department's website.

UK Fishing Fleet (Light Dues)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on the UK fishing fleet of applying to it the exemptions to light dues made available for the Republic of Ireland.

Stephen Ladyman: UK fishing vessels of 10 m and over registered length pay light dues and make use of the full range of aids provided by the General Lighthouse Authorities. Light dues paid by UK fishing vessels represent only a small contribution, 471,000 in 200405, towards the total light dues income of around 71.5 million.

Ultra-light Rail Systems

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will remove the regulations which prevent ultra-light rail systems from benefiting from road transport assistance schemes with particular reference to the (a) Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and (b) New Technology Development Fund;
	(2)  what representations his Department has received on the designation of ultra- light rail as rail transport as opposed to road transport.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport provides financial assistance to incentivise the development and uptake of clean, low carbon road vehicles in the form of grants. These grants, previously known as the transport energy grants (which included the new vehicle technology fund), were suspended in March 2005 and revised, technology-neutral grants have been notified to the European Commission for State Aid clearance.
	The grants aim to stimulate market transformation in the road vehicles sector and therefore focus on clean, low carbon alternatives to mainstream vehicles. The scope of the grants is not set in legislation, and is kept under review.
	A National Audit Office report published in April 2004 recommended that the Department discuss with DTI the case for including light rail technologies in energy saving grants. These discussions took place and it was concluded that DTI funding and development programmes adequately addressed the recommendation
	The Department has received representations on a number of occasions from two companies on the issue of ultra light rail designation.

United States-registered Aircraft

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many non-commercial aircraft registered in the United States used airports in the United Kingdom in each of the last 18 months; and which airports they used.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport does not issue operating permits to foreign aircraft operating on a non-commercial basis and consequently does not hold information of this nature. Private flights (ie. where payment for carriage is not asked for) are not required to seek the prior permission of a State to overfly, land or make non-traffic stops (eg. to refuel). Commercial flights making non-traffic stops also do not need prior permission, as set out in Article 5 of the Chicago convention.

Lorries/Commercial Vans

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total value of (a) new and (b) secondhand (i) lorries and (ii) commercial vans bought each year since 1997 was.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table sets out answers to these questions to the extent that data is available.
	For the UK auto industry, employment data is not separately available for car manufacturing, as the total for vehicles also includes commercial vehicles and engines. For completeness, the table also includes employment at component suppliers, although this understates the true size of the UK auto industry as many suppliers to the industry are classified in the statistics according to what they make (e.g. steel, glass). The ONS Annual Business Inquiry does not have employment data for 1997.
	From this data, it can be deduced that UK auto industry productivity is improving, both in terms of cars made per worker per annum, and GVA per employee. These are important measures that indicate continuing improvements in UK's auto manufacturing competitiveness on the global stage.
	As regards registrations data, new registrations are in the public domain and are quoted here. Used vehicle transaction data is normally a chargeable service from DVLA, but SMMT provides used car sales data on request, and this is quoted here.
	Data on the value of vehicle sales, new or used, is commercially sensitive within the industry and not published. However, data is available from ONS on the value added generated by the motor trade and this is quoted here. Again, the value added generated per employee is on a rising trend, indicating continually improving efficiency and competitiveness.
	
		
			  Source 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Employment: vehicle manufacturing ONS n/a 123,000 116,000 106,000 
			 Employment: auto component manufacture ONS n/a 170,000 158,000 157,000 
			 Value added: vehicle, engine and component mfr ( million) ONS 10,811 10,694 9,355 8,089 
			 Cars manufactured (thousand) SMMT 1,712 1,761 1,786 1,641 
			 Commercial vehicles manufactured (thousand) SMMT 224 215 190 172 
			   
			 Employment: motorcycle manufacturing ONS n/a 1,000 1,000 1,000 
			 Value added: motorcycle and manufacture ( million) ONS 22 26 26 39 
			 Motorcycles manufactured (thousand) MCI 15 17 21 26 
			 Employment: vehicle sales ONS n/a 294 294 289 
			   
			 Employment: other motor trade ONS n/a 253 261 264 
			 Value added: vehicle sales and motor trade ( million) ONS 16,421 16,224 17,512 16,807 
			   
			 Registrations: cars (thousand) DETR 2,170 2,247 2,197 2,221 
			 Registrations: CV's (thousand) DETR 274 295 288 298 
			 Registrations: motorcycles (thousand) DETR 122 144 168 183 
			 car changes of ownership (thousand) SMMT 5,300 5,800 n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			  Source 2001 20025 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Employment: vehicle manufacturing ONS 94,000 95,000 91,000 89,000 
			 Employment: auto component manufacture ONS 152,000 148,000 143,000 132,000 
			 Value added: vehicle, engine and component mfr ( million) ONS 9,138 9,126 8,925 9,855 
			 Cars manufactured (thousand) SMMT 1,493 1,630 1,658 1,647 
			 Commercial vehicles manufactured (thousand) SMMT 193 191 189 209 
			   
			 Employment: motorcycle manufacturing ONS 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 
			 Value added: motorcycle and manufacture ( million) ONS 54 92 101 38 
			 Motorcycles manufactured (thousand) MCI 30 15 32 26 
			   
			 Employment: vehicle sales ONS 277 280 277 276 
			 Employment: other motor trade ONS 275 264 281 276 
			 Value added: vehicle sales and motor trade ( million) ONS 18,911 20,313 21,876 22,296 
			   
			 Registrations: cars (thousand) DETR 2,459 2,563 2,579 2,567 
			 Registrations: CV's (thousand) DETR 313 322 364 390 
			 Registrations: motorcycles (thousand) DETR 177 162 157 134 
			 car changes of ownership (thousand) SMMT 6,700 7,100 7,500 7,700